Pronouncing death 2
===================

* Kevin Bezanson

> I have practised these words
> 
> the motions of this form,
> 
> watched for the rise and fall
> 
> of a chest,
> 
> listened for a heart
> 
> expecting it gone.
> 
> At nursing stations
> 
> I have written names
> 
> last, first, middle
> 
> checked boxes
> 
> declared antecedent causes
> 
> signed.

> Still here I was arrested
> 
> alongside your stranger bed
> 
> by octogenarian nails
> 
> painted fire-engine red.
> 
> Nobody left to explain the story.

> I too have left you
> 
> alone in a room
> 
> with motes of retinal light.
> 
> Stepping around puddles in the driving rain,
> 
> recalling infants prefer to sleep
> 
> with something touching their head.

![Figure1](http://www.cmaj.ca/https://www.cmaj.ca/content/cmaj/185/8/E360/F1.medium.gif)

[Figure1](http://www.cmaj.ca/content/185/8/E360/F1)

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