Shorts

Mani RaoContemplative

Some deaths are well-dressed Butterflies neatly folded Some have banners One ragged wing banging in the wind

One by one the petals bowed Such polite timing We gave each its due

Now uncapped The smiling pod seedy teeth The old bitter-gourd Shaking to be a rainstick

On the contrary when You are dying you change To prose The family finds out who gets what You are finally understood

Learn by heart: tap a gap

Some deaths are
One ragged wing in the wind
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