I’ve never seen a dead body before
which I’m not disappointed about,
like most people, I prefer bodies
which are alive and well
but I’ve seen death;
tasted it on the tip of my tongue.
I watched the branches of a tree
be severed with a saw
and tossed into a metal bin with kindling.
The smell wasn’t the same
as a fireplace, it was the hiss
of bark flesh crumbling,
and it stung;
creeped into my throat.
My eyes watered as the smoke rose
and caused each flower
still standing to shrink,
petals curled;
heads bowed to the soil.
I imagine this is what finding
a dead body is like;
seeing life that should be,
burning in oxygen and dust;
motionless and emotionless,
another mark left on this world
like all of the ones we are leaving
whilst we’re still living –
scorched earth, smothered sky
and a plughole in the sea.
We don’t care enough
until we bleed and taste the bitterness
of iron in our cheeks.
ยฉ Kristiana Reed 2019
We certainly are slowly killing our world and with it ourselves. I love the imagery in this and the relevance of it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you โบ๏ธ
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is so relevant. Beautiful writing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you ๐
LikeLike
The branches of a tree severed with a saw. What an incredible visual to accompany the discussion of death.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are all, touched by death in one way or another, sometimes, without being in the vicinity of it.
LikeLiked by 1 person