BE MORE DYING

 

 

Be “actively” dying qualify for hospice

Be “just dying” qualify for extended health care in maximum security file cabinet

Urine pool, feces, public body classified, legalized, certified

every 3 months with the ultimate goal to be quickly and inexcusably dead

 

Venerated Monk wakes in lake

Floats on hospital bed where fish leap over rainbows

He can’t find the brass bell to wake him from the panic of unexpected dislocation

This is not the mind he knows

Now praying to wake

 

Be more dying the system says

Practice death rattle for next visit, re-certify for warm bed,

massage, dolmas, peanut brittle

Die with dignity, but quick

According to regulations

 

“Hurry up please it’s time!”

           

This bed is for people “actively dying’

You’re passively dying. No not dying, you’re living! You’re living not dying!

You’re dying and living at once!

We can’t have that! Which direction are you going in? We need to know so we can send

your charts to the state, get reimbursed for this burden of you

 

Be more dying or we’ll put you on the street

Be more dying, be more meat

Be less spirit, be less conscious

Be out the door, not in the lobby lounging, flaunting good humor and will

Don’t act like Bacchus, be morose, hang your tongue down

Roll your eyes toward the void, be blisters and horror

We’ll drape ourselves over you, moan, moan!

            Be more dying!

Groan out loud, evaporate

Then everything will be better

 

                                                            May 10, 2001

 

© Michael Rothenberg

from CHOOSE