Phosphorescent light sets
into putrescent flesh,
Baking the body as it wanes,
the smell wafting
though the door
as disconsolate footsteps echo in the corridor.

Sclerotic hands reach,
Elbows screaming protest as shoulders contort,
reaching forward
reaching backward
sallow fingertips finding warm skin,
still swaddled in the opaque
veil of youth,
Tearing at its fibers with ravenous fervor.