pantoum for a parent in mourning
close the windows though death slips through on air
beat a drum obscure your heartbeat
attempt the impossible bear the unbearable
try to forget your name cut your hair scatter the ashes
beat the brass gong that obscures your heartbeat
burn letters scrub your hands raw
forget your name having scattered the ashes
avoid the places that make you cry
burn letters ribbons jackets scrub your hands raw
run until your chest throbs gasp for breath
avoid the places that make you cry
open the window to let the spirit seep out
About the Poet
Grace Massey is a former editor who has returned to writing after many years. When she’s not writing, she studies ballet and trains undersocialized cats to become adoptable. She has been published in Spry and The Ekphrastic Review, among a few others.
For the first time in nearly five years, Vita Brevis is closed for submission. Read the full story here.
Vita Brevis Press. 
A poignant and shattering piece that resonates with fragile and delicate imagery!