transform

death
pins me to a raw facebrick wall
flailing butterfly
spotlight-blinded springbok
like humans to earth
men to women
white to others
rape
never an equal match
despite our courageous struggles

leaves only grief
dessicated lungs
skin broken with irritation
eyes empty as charity ladles
of the ruling class

loss that strips
honeybrowned skin
inanimate grey

even as i fail to
save timeless souls
or ancient glacial fields
at least i'm certain
with my heart open as cosmic black holes
that i welcome death
as i observe life
with saucer eyes
and an occasional smile
lost for words

death
like birth & other hideously painful transitions
leaves me speechless
with horror
and awe

still
perfect.

- Bernedette Muthien (28 sept 2009), for dottie, elder sister, breast cancer (18 oct 1960 - 14 sept 2009)