Death found her in the one place

she had omnipotent control

the desk where she worked

meted out authority

to rain on anyone

who didn’t curry her favor

blue lights flashing

men pounding stairs

finding her slumped

half falling into trash

their black uniforms

conveying a cloud

of darkness

meant to bring life

I followed blue lights

watched men pound

then shock her form

police behind me for safety

for 15 miles through

the truck’s rear window

a conveyance to endings

For 15 miles I watched

sweat staining their backs

straining to show effort

pounding, shocking

purveyors of hope

on the way to the morgue

tongue lolling between lips

eyes vacant, faded blue

tho’ with nary a wrinkle

seaming her face

I knew . ..

Before we left her home

she was dead

her body sliding

into the garbage can

telling the whole story.