death has his
tentacles around your
wrists, neck &
ankles
he promises you
freedom from
pain & throws in
eternity
you
refuse
he twitches your
bottom & severs your
bowels
you settle into your
pillow & read your afternoon
mail
his shadow closes
over you in the
night
you wake up
smiling
death stamps his cloven-
hooves in the dust &
drops his tired head into his
hands
you just can’t stop
laughing