Think of death
as an old friend who will provide
a place for your shriveled body

Think of death
as a sidewalk taco stand
serving agua fresca in paper cups

Think of death
as the Iquitos airport,
the open-air thatched roof lean-to.

Think of death
as a lover who whispers
as you turn and look away

Every relationship contains loss,
every touch holds pain
of death’s exquisite dreadful moment

The words of death’s
exquisite dreadful moment are contained
in all the poetry in the world 

*Also known as Día de Muertos, the celebration originated in central and southern Mexico. Those who celebrate it believe that at midnight on October 31, the souls of all deceased children come down from heaven and reunite with their families on November 1, and the souls of deceased adults come visit on November 2.

—

Mel Goldberg taught literature and writing in California, Illinois, and Arizona. He and artist, Bev Kephart traveled throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico for seven years, settling in Ajijic, Jalisco. Mel has published on line and in print in The UK, The US, Mexico, and Australia.