death I thought
a walk through a thin 
stream…bodies beneath
each up-turned stone
here the heart…there
the soul…nowhere the mind

death I thought
with nothing on beneath
her belly botton…no shame
to hide…no sheets
to wrinkle…no furrowed
brow of useless worry

death I thought
could be managed
on such a pleasant jaunt
but June pulled up her dress
and let a torrent loose

death I thought
…a soaked slog
back to the house