New England’s
arboreal extravaganza–
a palette of russet, crimson & gold
all of summer’s succulence
on display before the fall
when the risorius muscle
after the last gasp
wears a smile called rictus
the body’s magnificent relaxation
when blood pulls its burden
from the heart
that has served it so faithfully
to puddle in violaceous splendor
in the flanks, the signature of
liver mortis
and when we
at ending are best served
to let go
as did Schubert
in his unfinished masterpiece
or Neruda’s aspiration
to thin the world into light and breath
at Isla Negra
his final resting place
just a few dots
after the last metaphor
drifting off the page
to go to where there is
no ending
Arthur Ginsberg is a neurologist and poet from Seattle. He has studied with the late Galway Kinnell and Dorianne Laux. and holds an MFA from Pacific University. His books include, “The Anatomist,” “Brain Works,” “Holy the Body,” “Piercing the Long Night,” and, “From Darkness to Light.”
