Undesirable Poem by richard ilnicki

I am a walking skeleton ossified
to the bone.
I am unable to solicit for love or money
the common warmth of an epidermis,
that precious touch of skin
which invigorates the blood,
that fiery flame of cupid that dulls the senes
and burns to the third degree all reason.

I am convonced I cannot pulse the heart;
I can only cause a death rattle,
that eerie sound of Velcro crackles
which is my thick laborious breath
moving through the mucus like a reaper.
I must surely make a noise which frightens
love half to death
and welcomes undesirable.
It is obvious to me and certainly to others
that I have become a cadaver
spread out blue and purple
toe-tagged on the mortician's bench.

In her sight
I must appear hopelessly pathetic,
a helpless mass of stiff cold dystrophy
waiting for an empty chamber.

Is it any wonder I can't attract her?