death leaves
an awful aftertaste
that only surfaces
long after you've taken a sip

it will numb your senses
it will strip beauty off of things
it will blur the most beautiful photographs
it makes waterfalls out of your eyes

and in between
the night
and the daylight
it will wake you up
it will make you wonder
why it hurts so much

why you were given a taste
why you're still alive.