Requiem For A Dream Lux Aeterna FULL ORCHESTRA

ON APPROACHING THE AFTERLIFE

POEM ON APPROACHING THE AFTERLIFE

The big fish are almost gone now
empty beds where they rested and fed
my childhood past, spent watching
the struggle on bank’s edge
bloodied, ragged skins in shreds
falling from salmon spent in spawn.
Living flesh broken away from spines
even as new life struggled within
to be born
sweet milt filling streams lost now.
Lost streams buried under the IGA down the street
concrete mall holding heavy metal freezers full of fish.

Hole gushing in the Gulf, spilt riches
they call it crude, but what’s more crude
than a gaping wound I ask you
What is not yet taken?

Before I fall silent, I want to say
do not look away. Feed them. Give to them
give to the broken and empty. Give your own starving heart.
For every hungry ghost, give up your life.

For years now, I have mistaken despair for caring
like many—I have been sleeping.
Wake up!
Do not hesitate because your tender heart is almost gone
we are all killing something
you have this courage
forgive yourself, and go on loving the world.
Accept your gift.

c. Gabryel Harrison

REQUIEM FOR THE GULF