a single spasmed

vein screams

deep its' pain yet

the sheet hangs limp

the folds of cotton

starched and crisp

like a uniform

a corset for the dead

cut open

white dry jaws

folded neatly

into sharp, fat creases

a list of bottles,

tubes and fees

"do not staple,

fold or mutilate"

and a figure

scrawled across

the bottom line

the sum of my demise
~