Post-Mortem Care

Dragged beats of a dying heart
Irregular, shallow breaths
A being, once vital
With conversation, complexity and depth

Relatives gather 'round
Insidious wetness in eyes
You stand tall, stoic, unchanged
While they release sorrows and cries

They trickle like raindrops from the room
Curtain closes, dark ensues
Now, just you and the body
The human gone that was once knew

The corpse cold, with early jaundice
And a glossy, life-less stare
Rigamortis spreads like wildfire
Close the mouth, if you dare

Wash the body, give respects
Apologize for a harsh turn
Pretend moist gauze applied to eyes
Are cucumbers - it's a spa - not an urn

Slide the vessel in the bag
Clean a final stool mess, leave it dressed
Place identifiers on the tags
And ship with security for infinite rest

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

this is a very interesting write...not often we get the perspective of the undertaker...the fifth stanza really got me...pretending the gauze are cucumbers like at a spa...and in a way...the deceased can finally relax now...no more hustle and bustle..death the gentleman came calling...as in "because i could not stop for death, he kindly stopped for me..."
and now it is on to the carriage which will hold just immortality and me.
really like this one.

j.

[VelvetPotato]

Thanks, J. It is a very unique experience to be apart of, so I wanted to share. And I love my Death-obsessed Emily!

[Samuel Dickens]

Excellent. Though death is unwelcome, it is in a way beautiful. Being surrounded by loved ones at the end is how it should be. The scene you describe reminds me of my father's last hours.

[VelvetPotato]

Thank you Sam. I am glad you found a positive light to view this piece in.