Michael Keshigian - Transition / Cemetery Haze

TRANSITION

An air bubble burst,

that final hiccup 

on the threshold 

of the doorstep to oblivion.

Lungs conclusive expanse

captures stray molecules of oxygen

that contain 

the ultimate sigh of consciousness 

before deflation.

With the last exhale

streams a lifetime of living and memories, 

feelings, emotions, and thoughts

extinguished in a gurgle

the brain reluctantly realizes

as terminal, engulfed by

the ensuing permanence of departure,

that enigmatic shadow,

severing connections to the living

that surround the listless remains 

pitying, yet considering

their own demise 

and ultimate moment of transition

when life is no more.

CEMETERY HAZE

Granite slabs

litter the enclosed landscape

which silently screams syllables

of those buried 

beneath the sedentary soil

of eternal repose

and through the cavities 

gorged by insatiable insects,

imperceptible vapors 

of deteriorating brain waves

escape the porous tomb

to fog the horizon 

with evaporating memories.

Michael Keshigian’s ninth poetry book, Dark Edges was released September, 2014 by Flutter Press.  He has been widely published in numerous national and international journals most recently including Poesy, The Chiron Review, California Quarterly, Poppy Road Review and has appeared as feature writer in over a dozen publications with 5 Pushcart Prize and 2 Best Of The Net nominations. (michaelkeshigian.com)