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hunger hunger it rages
it rages on extreme
every direction a madness
a life tethered on a fragile string
and a handful of sleeping pills
a glass of water to swallow them
and one final glance around the room
her childhood-crowded room
drinking in the views of each wall
a collage of self-preservation and conceptual desire
her perception blared outward blurry-eyed
a vivid expression of a sad heart
a tapestry of love to all
sweeping in rapid motion
one last drink of life
one last swallow of water
one last roundabout view
then she went off to sleep one last time
her body becoming wintry cold
she slept away a quiet rage and willingly
let death take hold massaging her heart to eternal rest
she slept the long night through only to be found
alone and undressed for fate
arms open and welcoming death
hunger hunger raged on inside her
the fragile string snapped clear
leading her toward
an eternal rest of pale gray dust
on an eastern kentucky mountainside
where ash will glitter in the sky
and carpet the land where daisies will bloom
hunger hunger it rages
it rages on extreme
every direction a madness
hunger hunger
missing
her
Phyllis Lee (1952-2003) was my favorite sibling. In 1991, during a family gathering at Paintsville Lake, KY, I said to her,
"You look like Alice Cooper in drag, Phyllis!" She bellowed a hearty laugh, struck a pose, then said, "Be real,
honey!" That's this image I have of my sister Phyllis Lee. She was real to the end. Blessed be.
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