The living yearn for eternity yet

  the dead want

  impermanence,

  frail fragility

  and to the ability

  to breathe fog

  onto glass.

  The dead want

  dandelion stains

  on their pant legs

  and to have burrs

  stick prickly

  to wool sweaters

  and wet socks.

  The dead want

  to leave a cup

  of coffee on

  the roof of a car

  and to drive away,

  forgetfully.

  The dead want

  maraschino cherries,

  ice cream headaches

  and grapefruit sting.

  The dead want

  to kiss the forehead

  of a sleeping child

  whose young mouth

  is open, dreaming.

  The dead want

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  bad handwriting

  and junk mail.

  The dead want

  to be finalists

  for a sweepstakes

  that they may have

  already won.

  The dead want

  to stay awake

  watching late

  night television

  reruns that they

  have already seen.

  The dead want

  to ignore

  doctor's orders

  and drink all

  the goddamn

  wishky they

  want.

  The dead want

  pleurisy, multiple

  fractures and

  paralyzing hysteria.

  The dead want

  to read a novel

  on the train,

  missing their stop

  because they are

  on the last half page.

  The dead want

  to be wanton

  and wanted

  with breathless

  anticipation, to be

  afraid of breaking

  down during climax

  into ethereal nothingness.

  The dead want

  to be able to die.

  - Kat Isacson