Incinerate Your Love
For T. Ruthiran (1937-1996)
plots lined with cypresses
silence of respect
pebbles levelled with care
in lined walks
in rectilinear angles
slabs of slate
of marble
fading posy of flowers refreshed
a framed dageurrotype now
the glass cracked by hale stones
dried leaves of pine forsythia rose
drifting in the inturning autumnal gusts
the caretaker sweeps the debris of yesterdays's solemn descent
paper cups spilled soil
cracked flower pots
chewing gum wrappers
all the rectangular plots dark cutting-edge smoothness of polished finish
low arches plain chiselled stone names years
of the to be remembered siblings parents children
remembered by whom
whose bodies post mortem
stink of medicinal cleansing scent
brains dissected
hearts expunged
livers sliced
intestines evacuated dumped together with failing pancreas kidneys in grey plastic bags
sawed bones held together by adhesive tape
gashed wounds pallid crinkled skin robed in Sunday best
the face a mask the undertaker's camouflage
She said somewhat apologetically: He went peacefully. R.I.P. Looked like a god in repose!
the last rites of holy scented water
the casket lowered in worm-proof cement caves
the underground in-vasion
the perfumed corpse coming apart from wet kisses tear-stains blood-clots diseased parts live roses nose phlegms ear-wax the last act still unflushed from vaginas the motion still stuck in the rectum
little by little
even before the week is over
even before tears curdle in dearly bereaved bosoms
bacteria turn to worms viruses perhaps to white ants
eating eyes tongues lips cheeks ears brains wood skin and putrid flesh
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poem by T. Wignesan
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