visualize a park in a city
in the shape
of a tear drop
from the bronze entrance
at the tip,
the land rises
on an upward grade
kids are darting around
at the top of the hill
gliding down a giant
slide all day
at twilight, the bronze gate
beckons new welcome
& an elder crowd
wanders in––
among the throng,
a man of honor,
weak in age and sickness––
strong in will
they toast the old
boy & feast & laugh
& remember––
how much we love life
how much we love each
other
the man stands up
as if to speak
but does not––
instead, he hugs
each & all of his friends––
kisses many––
& walks away
doffing each item
of his clothes to the ground
as he approaches
the crest of the hill
& the top of the slide––
he stops to pray––
then he grips the steel handles
& propels himself
down
in the first second
he is dead & his
soul lifts into the
sky––
in the next instant,
a doctor declares his
life over
& as his body reaches
the bottom of the sharp
incline––it is transformed
to wakeful ash
the youngest of the
party retrieves the
warm trailings
in a porcelain urn &
presents them in
the center of celebration
the spirits toast the man––
& toast again his freedom––
they cherish his life
& take his dreams inside
their hearts
to prosper