Day 536

The starving body
first eats its own muscles.  Then
moves to the vital
organs:  heart.  Kidneys. Liver.
The brain starts lacking
what it needs
to think, even to feel.
Everything begins to slow:
this is why you can’t
stand, run — even
think of running! — out of the tent
when night falls
with its big explosions.
Your arms, your legs
start to ache relentlessly.
Your head aches, your stomach.
Ultimately the body
resigns itself, acquiesces, slips
without struggle
into death’s jaws.  Body
that should have carried its spirit
through years, through love
and work, through seasons,
weathers.  Body
that should have danced,
leapt fences, tossed
balls — instead
lies down.  Surrenders.