Liana Meffert 2022

Death Pronouncement

On the elevator to the 8th floor

I read

Death is usually

an easy diagnosis,

if you've ever waited

for a chest to rise,

it's like this:

then it doesn't.

Breathing & lung sounds

will be absent.

Explain your purpose.

I am here to not bury you alive

to do this right

the way you did death

one breath at a time

the sallow cheeks, waxy face

-you're perfect-

once, we held a small mirror

against parted lips

watching for

the kiss of a cloud

today, the mirror is clear

the day a fat yellow yolk

on the windowsill

family perched on their seats

soft music tinkling

dim lights

scribbling our contours

against the wall my shadow fumbles

a stethoscope,

uneasy soothsayer

If death is uncertain,

lack of pulse, breath sounds,

[absent] heartbeat will usually suffice.

her mouth agape

tongue slaked as if to say

see how much I drank,

as if to say,

see how much I've held,

not one more glass.

no, not one more drop, I couldn't.

I sink to my knees.