Death Is All Of This? Poem by Mark Heathcote

Death should be a gesture
of what kills and fulfils
a craving that raves - singing
hymns - where silence—
reigns in peace:
death - death is a bruised apple
before it had the time to be eaten:
it is that piece of white soda bread
where the first specks of mould
say I'm not fit for slicing—
yes death is a dog whose howls
reverberations only bring it
another and another's beatings
but within its beatings it forgives
its master's torment: there it lolls
at his feet barking excitement
wagging at his exonerated laughter
yes Lord Master death is all of this?
—unburdened death is our second bliss
a blush of dew a red petal a trinity
falling rising anew upon
some well kissed censored lips
a fragrance bottled from every perfume oil
rent of life - persevered
in a deathless odour
fallen we too are vaporized
within a dewdrops gesture
we are that first blush of spring
deaths wedding band ring
worn on the fourth finger
death is our bridegroom - he is
our one life partner
Father-son and Holy Ghost!