As he slowly rose, br The weight of death wound br Around him, moans wrenched br in two like a smile for a stranger br Who momentarily seemed familiar. br The crowd, as if a vulva, pushed aside br Allowing this strange awakening passage. br br At each bending of the knees br There seemed a hesitation; br A nearly worded indecision br With every footstep swelling br Then drowning in the steady current br of their need. An anger br Kindling in eyes already unused to light br At having been called away br By their suffering to decay. br br But the earth, already overflowing, br Decided. It knew his going br Was merely a slow return.