Death Is
solid. My son never complains
he can’t walk through walls or people.
He dies only with wishes not to become
the shadow of a building or street furniture
recycling or public bin, lamppost, unwanted old sofa or bed.
Better to be people’s shadow as he leaves this world,
then find himself with skin, breath and blood
where before floated as air, as mist as we do.
Soon whatever he becomes in death.
as his Dad and Mam we will move through him
and he may not even know we do so.
And if he does we will be ghosts to him.
Perhaps he’ll recall his time as a ghost.
Paul Brookes was poetry performer with “Rats for Love” and his work included in “Rats for Love: The Book”, Bristol Broadsides, 1990. His first chapbook was “The Fabulous Invention Of Barnsley”, Dearne Community Arts, 1993. He has read his work on BBC Radio Bristol and had a creative writing workshop for sixth formers broadcast on BBC Radio Five Live. Recently published in “I Am Not A Silent Poet”, “The Beatnik Cowboy”, “Clear Poetry”, “Red Fez”. Much more about Paul Brookes can be found via his web site by clicking here…