the smell of ashes

no one laughed when he told them he was dying.

and when the silence got too big

someone said they were sorry

and people hummed in agreement

there was a cough from the dying man

and he lit a camel and let it sit on his lips

smoke burning his eyes but he didn't blink.

and then someone asked how long

and he told them he didn't know and didn't care

and someone said they cared

and then no one said anything

and when the man died he was burned

and they scattered the ashes in a field near stone mountain

and when the wind came it carried him up the slope to the top

and his ashes settled there

and they haven't moved since.

the silence came back 

but this time it never left.

Reviews

[Ana B.]

I like the tone if this write. Intense and indifferent at the same time, striking in all the right places. Makes me wonder where will my ashes settle...is it in a familiar place or somewhere beyond...