John Michael Haye born November 8th1943. He died in his sleep April 27th.2001
His death was like a birth
As a young mother would about to deliver
This his very last day…a profound gush of energy.
Later I found the list in the desk drawer.
Strong slash marks crossing out all that he had done
“garden–rocks”, “pond –plants” “chair- paint red”
The much put off-put to rest …house polished and bed linens fresh.
One week before:
Looking out our window.
We had witnessed a pair
Passionate spring vultures
Humping blissfully (Who knew vultures made love?)
Classic messengers of death……. yet curiously joyful.
His last night …a wonder,
A coming together of friends
All of us joined in celebration
With high spirits and much love.
Could we have planned a better fare-thee-well?
In his clean house on his clean sheets
He lay me down to sleep
I woke alarmed his dead body still warm,
sparkless and abandoned,
having given birth to his soul /his body spent/ now an empty shell