Six Ways of Viewing the Death
-after Nienow
By Jeff Neidt

I
To the Greeks, death was a river
to cross. To the Norse, a feast
in the Great Hall, and the Dakota
saw an intermission
in the great theatre of life.
 
II
The vision of death—
of white robe and golden light
—stands before us like a stray
bolt of lightning.

III
What about this death lies
in you? Or is it more of a
vision? Yet again, a ghost
that’s been haunting us
both—more like a memory.

IV
Once I dreamt you
died. Standing on a bridge,
and in a moment
like a clap of thunder,
the bridge disappeared
and you floated.
Hanging like a star
waiting to be wished on.

 V
Death is not a held hand
or warm breeze. Death is
tangled root, and
copper taste.
 
VI
We watched your death like a trapeze act—
open mouthed, hands outstretched,
and frozen-lunged.
Unsure of what comes next.
But waiting for the fall.