“When You Die”
I want to be here when you die, when your soul leaves your body and your energy enters into that big chemical equation that controls the Universe. I want to have one hand on your heart and another on your throat so I can shove your essence back into your body. (I don’t want you to leave before I do and I will do almost anything to make that happen). Once you have given in to the Great Passing, I will be here alone to cope and sniff your bed and closet for whatever might be left. I will collect your hair and dead skin and put it into gold envelopes that I will store in books with your name. I will make deals with Jesus and Mary and all the blessed saints that think they have custody of all things yours. I will kick and scream and burn down buildings; create havoc and block stories about other people because you are the only one that ever mattered. They can throw me in jail or institutionalize me, but I promise to never stop hanging your name on banners in the sky.
John Dorroh, “J.D.,” taught high school science for almost 30 years and lived to tell about it. He is a writer who has had some success with White Trash Nekid poetry, micro-fiction, and poetry. He has also written for a regional newspaper as a weekly business columnist. He lost the county spelling been in the 6th grade to Connie Dick and went on to become a recognized swimmer and Moon Pie-eating contestant. John is the Gesso Magazine Poet Laureate.
