Death takes time
slowly lowering heart’s beat
lifting and quickening
the sound of air
it floats, stops

There is a moment
after you closed the tinfoil eyes
and said your prayer
the nurse left
you will say goodbye

But not so easily dies man
because this sinking ship
which disappears from sight
has not yet settled
its struggle to the bottom

Neurologists will recognize
the cortex takes a longer leave
when organs stop to pump and sift
as eye-light sinks
the ear still whispers

So when I knelt
close to your still warm face
and said forlornly in your ear
goodbye
a sigh flowed from your lips forever