1741

1741 

Small flat disc with the numbers

Stamped on 

Next to a pink slip with with your name

Written on 

Next to mine 

Next to me 

But I had to leave 

Tears well in the white hallway

Under construction, sad face 

Didn’t think it would leave me

Feeling so empty 

So drained

In 8 days time they’ll call me

In 10 days I’ll pick up, your body

No longer, your bones and your ashes

Sealed in an urn 

Forever a marker 

What to make of this ritual

Disposing of the flesh 

Before it does it of itself

Escaping the decay with a forceful flame

Taking what’s left, 

What does remain?

Memories that stick

Like a thorn 

Like maple syrup 

Painful and sappy