Dense, Tense Pretence Poem by John Sensele

Gone to sleep
A tombstone says
Survivors, spouses, offspring weep
Demise in paradox pays.

Obituary in a newspaper
Mourning a beloved son
Walls now too clean says a ventriloquent vapour
To a handful homo abilis, chopped down from rays of the sun.

Costly casket
Tepid love given to the living
A plethora of flowers in a basket
For the begrudged giving of limpid love and the forgiving.

Tears aplenty eyes pour
Guilt chokes a conscience
A relation they gave plenty woe
To whom relations showed scanty patience.