[the poetry billboard] - 'What The Priestess Sees' by Edlyn Ang
 
 
What The Priestess Sees

Edlyn Ang

Between sickness and the rites of death, no pause.
Five nights vanguard.
Last morning. Sky, dirty, exhausted blue.
Tomorrow

it is over.

Quiet breath separates now and final rites.
He emerges moth-like from chrysalis house;
white-haired, nearing brittle. Suddenly older.

Past nights he clutched your photograph,
telling grief and loss. Night crowds paid
sympathy dues.
Imperious, sad emperor, ordering respects, obeisance.
Those pantomimes of kneeling and offering joss.

No woman should be born
with clear eyes.
I am sorry for his sorrow.
Sorrier still, for divining its core:

He couldn't sleep not for grief but because
he was afraid that you'd return, dear wife, haunting.

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