"After Death" By Elissa Rosenthal

Choices After Death

By Elissa Rosenthal

Death becomes me,

with body full of creatures,

as I return to the Earth.

Death becomes me,

with poison being pumped within,

as I turn into a statue of pollution.

Death becomes me,

with my body burning,

as I am turned into dust mixed with carbon dioxide.

Death becomes me,

and it will become you.

Think about your choices,

before the inevitable.

Moonlit Strength for Yule

 Moonlit Strength for Yule

By Elissa Rosenthal

Moon gaze upon me tonight,

Help me through this trying blight,

Keep me calm and give me strength,

For I right now have little faith,

Show me the way to the afterlife,

My past religion is now a knife,

Smiles gaze- like you- so bright,

Give me strength not to fight, 

They have their way,

The ones I did wane.

I can never be,

Anyone but the soul within this body,

I must keep my head held,

Shouts of rightness will be expelled,

Family accusations can pass,

For their views do not match mine- alas,

Smiles gaze- like mine- so bright,

I must have strength not to fight,

They have their way,

The ones I did wane. 

I can keep myself intact,

I do not need to act,

I am polytheistic where they are not, 

I will not let my integrity rot,

Smiles gaze- like you- so bright,

Give me strength not to fight,

They have their way,

This year's Yule I will not dismay.

Fear of Moving Forward

Fear of Moving Forward

by Elissa Rosenthal 

 

Pulsing eyes feel wet as liquid icicles run down my face,

As cold as my bloods' provider. 

Stillness,

A wound-tight clock wishing to turn, 

I stay unmoving out of that which provides my chill.

Liquid icicles morph into liquid rust,

As the clockwork coils grind against each other.

Slow movement starts.

The coils creek in anticipation,

Hoping the body follows. 

"Go", they say,

"Dare to change your unmoving state."

 

The Horrible Haircut

The Horrible Haircut

By Elissa Rosenthal

Shinning steal assaulted my mane 

You went to beauty school,

or so you claim.

My flowing locks no longer flow,

but are stuck in awkward angles.

You should go.

These are not layers,

not even for a hedge.

For I envy the bush,

and its' perfect edge.

Do you have something wrong with your eyes?

Did you even try?

This is a haircut,

my money will not buy.