the dead thing

it lumbered over to us--the dead thing

and stretched itself across the table

when it began to sicken, you said:

look what you've done, no wonder it's dying

look what you've done.

when I was sure it was dead--I went

to lose myself for awhile

I left you alone with the dead thing

and you knew it was dead

without me to chastise,

you were left alone with the stillness

Now it sits between us

nibbling ghostly fur

we could take our recent wisdom, you know?--

and grieve in each other's company