(10/01)

1

Consciousness—
little more than a guttering
flame
only half-revealing her
agitated face

2

Death—
the pellucid prose-piece
he'd hovered over
without writing
till now


Minus A How-To Book
The Novice Prepares
For His Own Cremation

(10/01)

Step 1:

Well-oiled prrrrr
of clippers—
the hairdresser's hand
extends the uneven tonsure
to the remainder of his head

Step 2:

Though flaxen-haired
he returns home
and dulls three blades
removing the body hair
that remains—

fontal eyebrows
urns of ears
sparse forearms
coy armpits
legs
buttocks
nostrils
navel
nest of sex

Step 3:

Between sips of Chianti
he lifts a photograph
from the coffee table—

His PJ's are chafing his
monkish skin—

His Chrysler Imperial—
in full bloom—
is viewed from a buxom
couch