Body Bags
Michael H.Brownstein
Time is not of essence here
emptying body bags near the ocean.
sand heavy with waste,
mud and water feeling for bone.
There is quiet now,
the quiet of sunset,
the quiet of sunrise,
the quiet of dance-
dance without sound.
Fog covers holes gaping at stars,
settles the last of the rot in the jungle,
forces emergency planes away.
There is one image I will never let go:
the man builds a casket
for his shattered wife
and holds her as if
he is slow dancing with her
one last waltz.
Poem Courtesy of "Only the sea
keeps: Poetry of the Tsunami"
Pictures: HumanityAshore
Michael H.Brownstein
Has been widely published throughout the small and literary presses.His
work has appeared in The Cafe Review,Kings River Press,Skidrow
Penthouse,Oyez Review,and others.He has been featured in a number of on-line
journals including Milk,Ascent Magazine,and poetrysuperhighway.com.His
chapbook,Poems from the Bodybag,won the Ommation Press Best Chapbook
Award.His latest book,A Period of Trees,is available from Snark
Publishing.A chapbook from Fractal Press is forthcoming.Mr.Brownstein teaches
science in the Chicago Public Schools.
