Frank Prem

difficult departure

he did not flinch
when the smoke
rose up

 

did not move
when it passed
seemingly
right through him

 

even though
his soul was touched
by taint
as the body burned

 

he did not flinch
but had the taste
of ashes
felt
the corpse-touch
the corpse-grasp

 

even as
the body burned

 

he realized
after
he could feel his heart
erratic beating

 

realized after
how much he\'d held on
to his breath

 

shaky
a little dizzy
he walked
from the remnant pyre

 

in a line
undeviating
he walked
toward the river

 

palpitations still
in his chest
sweat beads
on his brow
nausea
rising up
within him

 

he did not stop
at the edge
of the water

 

he did not stop
disrobed
flinging
as he walked

 

step by step
he descended
feeling the water rise

 

then slowly
methodically
he rubbed his skin
with water

 

~