He’s lost count of exactly how many
embalmed bodies. It’s a job
like any other: applying the color of life to pallor,
creating an image in the memories of survivors.

Embalmed bodies? It’s a job
getting the right pink in the cheeks,
creating an image in the memories of survivors
with red paint, Superglue, needle and thread.

Getting the right pink in the cheeks,
stitching mouths closed, anchoring the feet
with Superglue, needle and thread
so the deceased appear to be asleep.

Stitching mouths closed, anchoring the feet,
massaging out clots, capping the eyeballs
so the deceased appear to be asleep—
a few of the ways to make up the dead.

Massaging out clots, capping the eyeballs,
applying the color of life to pallor:
a few of the ways to make up the dead—
he’s lost count of exactly how many.

(Previously published in Nostos)