WHAT WE EXPECT FROM THE DYING

We expect the slowly dying

to play a role.

Not to be angry,

to reminiscence about their

youth and their time

with us, to make an example

of a good death

so that we can lie to ourselves

that they have accepted

their fate and are ready

to go, that we can let them

pass from our lives,

to become fading memories.

We would be upset

if they would make scenes,

rage and cry against

the end to all.

We would be upset

and thus observe them

for the signs

that they might

not stick to the script.

For our own sake

we are ready to comfort,

to avoid facing

the raw emotions of the dying.

 Little do we think

(we dare not),

that one day we,

like those on the scaffold

once, have to play

this role for the sake of those

whose own death sentence

is still unsigned.

That then we must not upset

and must follow

the script

to the fading of thought.

The soon dead, 

forced into playing a role,

for the sake of those

who have yet to accept

that they too

shall die. Audience

yearning katharsis

and the one with
the noose around the neck

to provide it for them.

Yet one by one the audience

ascends to the scaffold

and stands on the trap-door.

Then standing on it,

when the learned doctors

have read the sentence

and placed the noose,

we shall know

the role well,

having seen it played

so many times

by people

who then

themselves

are fading memories.

08.02.2020