A deep lavender hazed
black tinged
bruise encasing the backside
of my hand
from the base
of my opposing hand
repeatedly pounding
the same spot to the tune
of stayin alive
as the make believe
vitals
continue to deteriorate
despite the make believe
meds,
the real sweat-causing efforts,
and after 45 minutes
the instructor announces
an unfortunate
time of death

of the mannequin…

whose entire story
is now nearly identical
to my fathers
just a short 4 months
ago.