attempted rewrite of 'goodbye'...

I held him
pale and plump.
Skin like cold rubber
blue lips
on the verge
of a quiet smile.
Thick lashes resting
on dry cheeks
Ears deaf
to my prayers.

I counted his toes,
and looked
for all his old scars.

Then I covered his body
with crisp white cotton
and tucked it
under his bushy red beard,
hiding the hole
they put in his neck,
too late to save his life.

© 2003/2006 Catnapping