A New Life

On Leonora Carrington’s oil painting, 

The Saints of Hampstead Heath, 1997  

I lay quietly now, like the hush during a funeral. 

Father stands lofty, towering over mother. 

Her halo darkened with each passing second. 

They talk; no, they argue. What happened?

I lay quietly now, they do not know I can hear. 

Their words have led me to my fate. 

Ombre tangerine orange into bloody crimson surrounds us. 

They argue quietly now, as to not wake me. 

Don’t they know I’m dead?

I will remain here for now. My ghostly skin, 

pale complexion obstructed by the second. 

My life may be gone now, but a new one appears. 

Roots deep yet thin, emerald green emerging from within.

He is death, she an angel. But me? I am old, I am new, 

I am dead, yet I am alive all at the same time. 

I draw my final breath now, 

this seedling needs to blossom so they know.