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
~