after you drop out of this life.
It carries on as a torch,
morning noon and night.
No sleep; burning blue eyes.
Weeping cinders red as a sailor's sky.

The pain doesn't stop
with time. It camouflages itself
in satin and smiles, in flurry and song
all day long/only at night does it sink
as a genie, blanketing the rage
in a ***** martini.

The pain doesn't stop
with travel or props. Flying
in the air/diamond earrings or
another hot affair. It splinters
as veneer.

The pain doesn't stop
if you tell it to. It's not a dog
you train. You can't place a leash
on it/tell it quietly to sit.