Put here
to die.
Brought
to this place
where few
leave
unscathed
by death’s toxic perfume
in its masquerade
as sterilization;
where it clings
to the air,
penetrates
mortal breath
with its poison,
suffocates,
strangles out
life’s attempt
to inhale
one last time
before ceasing
to exist
forever.

© 2002 Tina Hess

Tina Hess is a poet and freelance writer. Her work has appeared in such places such as Niederngasse, RetortMagazine, and Thundersandwich. You may e-mail Tina at tntina01@tnweb.com