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Improv 2, Week 9

Last Words

Let us cross over
the river and sit in the shade
of the trees. Pardonnez-moi, Monsieur,
wait 'til I have finished
my problem. It's been a long time
since I've had champagne. Too late
for fruit, too soon for
flowers: hold the cross
high so I may see it through
the flames. Get my swan costume
ready. I am about to--or I am
going to--die: either expression
is used. Who is it? Ah, Luisa, you
always arrive just as I am
leaving. Sweet Rosabel, I leave you
the truth: if you can read this,
you've come too close. L.
is doing the rhododendrons,
the boat is going down, and I'm going
into the bathroom to read. More
light. Am I dying
or is this my birthday? I should have
drunk more champagne. Either
that wallpaper goes or
I go. What is the answer?
Very well, then, what
is the question? Oh why
does it take so long
to come?

----------------

Last Words

I hope the Styx
doesn't have rapids. I don't do
rapids. I don't do water.
It does me in. I should have read
more great books. Can you believe
I made it this far into the hospice
without crying? I never had bad
allergies, but I don't like flowers.
If you find my writings, don't judge:
I'm not the greatest writer in the world.
Don't follow me. I did some foolish things.
I did some whorish girls.
They weren't that way before I died.
Am I dying or just dozing?
Either way, I am going under the bed
to die, amid the stuffed animals with
half their fluff and eyeballs.
Carry me out the front door if I fit.
It's been forever since I read
a great book. Cut my nails before
I die. Shave me down before I
shrivel. Clean my bowels and keep
my make-up lite.

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