If you have never seen a dead body,
there are things you should know.

Firstly, there’s the room itself,
austere and deadly quiet.

Then there’s the faintly sweet smell
and the complete absence of life.

As you approach the body,
you may be shocked by the pallor.

You may think you detect
the blue sky of Uranus or sea of Pontus

but the canopy has gone
and all the creatures are still.

There comes a time to leave
when there is nothing left to say.

Before you walk away,
perhaps a kiss on the forehead

or stroke your hand around
the perfect curve of that horizon,

but don’t press your lips to hers –
it’s too late.