Remorseless

                                 Around me they gathered, silent coated
				Closed lips. Each waiting—one last standoff:

				T’was my last breath, so I didn’t hold back,
				The air stung my throat; it settled like sand,
				On me, in me, one last testimony.
				Will anyone be left to hold my hand?

				They stood still, so still; my essence leaked.
				The scent of oleander lingered near,
				The lukewarm light, her brighten’d tighten’d lips,
				Only my wife would be late—no last kiss.

				Don’t blame me! He was too oft outspoken 
				About money, a rotted apple grew.
				He wouldn’t listen; he couldn’t listen,
				Oh boy, my boy, never tried and true.

				Not one could come to terms: my final wish,
				A friendly sport, but who would take it all?
				Before the barrister finished the will,
				Lines drawn, words thrown, penultimate spectacle.

				The game was played, only losers left,
				My estate seized, a levy wip’d the rest,
				To be the only winner I e’er did know,
				So fitting, more unwitting, and now my time to go.

				And a light lifts me, lingering in clouds,
				And shoots me out to space—a chrysalis,
				And pull’d inside a black hole, no last regret,
				If family disappoints, simply bury them in debt.