Belong

We all belong
to the dead
soon enough, dear
but until then
gargle that red
pulse, eat black
as though cancer
is anything more
than an expressway

Oh, murder you
say? Of what
kindness, of health
or innocence kept
at the end
of a leash
or a whip
like in beauty
magazines that don't

forget the jealous
and the frightened
who clothe us
in their hatred
of anything different
as though demons
planted in childhood
grew full flower
grown up mouths
filled with poison

But also remember
cool green mornings
an orange sunset
how blue arms
hold up heaven
remember open doors
kind encouraging words
smooth brown banisters
and one smile
just the one
time is all
when you belong
to the living