LA VIE PLASTIQUE Please sing us songs of precious plastic legs, Prosthetic kneecaps and metallic arms That once were bones before they danced with war. Pen poetry to hospice beds where all The arts of plastic tubing prolong pain To bring respectability to misery. Do chant those sacred hymns proclaiming love’s Prenuptial accords: how many cars To own, the numbered carats diamonds trap, Demanded dowries and wedding gifts That plastic buys expecting price tags are True measures of affection. Then we’ll speak Church vows, exchange gold rings and never guess A binding contract’s written in our hearts. AND … When inhaled breaths have fled our lungs and all Life’s rhythms pulse no more, let children's choirs Chant requiems for they not we have time. Let faith recite its rosaries to dream. Let alleluias challenge ecstasy To whisper, “Eulogies aren’t always lies.” When cosmic silence answers, “SPIN THE WHEEL” We’ll plan pathetic plastic bargains with Blind night to act as if we see the light. SPIN THE WHEEL. SPIN THE WHEEL! jo_dis June 2010