WHILE PATIENTLY WAITING TO BE REBORN

the look of death

no longer frightens me

the friend

aunt uncle or parent

lying in the casket

like the department store mannequin

a failed imitation

the memory of them

smiling talking…animated

is what will stay with me

the rest of my own years

here

that inner voice telling me

desensitization

a natural part of the process

not in the way

of being cold

rather a warming up

for what lies ahead

now instinctively knowing

the act of hours

passing ever faster

as we grow older

prepares us for when time

no longer will have

the same meaning

and of a place

beyond this world

of failed machines

mechanical and biologic

children are being reborn

new kids on the block

taken to the Nth level

carrying with them

only warm memories

of those left behind

comforted

in their smiles talk

…animation

as they learn to

crawl walk…and fly

once more

in a totally different way

while patiently waiting

for us

to be born to them again

© 2004

Chris Sorrenti