Six Arms Poem by Juan Olivarez

Six arms to hold him high,
And take him to his bed.
Six hearts that bleed and cry,
In black they all are clad.

Twelve eyes that glisten so,
That they can't see ahead.
Twelve eyes that endlessly flow,
Infused in bitter red.

Six white flowers on his breast,
In pure and virgin white.
To send him happy to his rest,
As he reaches for the light.

Four strong arms to cover him,
To keep him safe and sound.
Four choruses of an old hymn,
As they lay him in the ground.

8/20/11 Alton Texas