paralysis

Your paralysis was contagious

I smiled
and you

just
stared
back

black pupils
black holes

As if to say
you can't turn back time
nurse lady

at least not right now

It was never quiet
and you can't
turn on silence

then

your eyes
rolled back
into your head

I called for help
but I was stopped

by the way
you just lay there

barely breathing
never laughing
calm
when you were just
sleeping

That's how we wanted you to stay

I really
don't know why
because
you can't
sleep forever

It's just because
those machines
are keeping
you alive

they are
beeping and whirring
while

the spirits
are cleaning
out a space

making
a tiny place
for your soul
to live in


So
close the doors
shut the windows
prepare the syringes
shut your eyes

Everyone always wonders what it's like to be free

Mother earth could swallow you
So please
just let it be