POETRY
Shroud
Thailand cremation ceremony
Taken out of a wood and tin sarcophagus
decorated in what must be fake marble decoration
I’m surprised just how cold the body
is as the embalming fluid seeps through linen
onto my hands clenching hardened feet,
hardened not as a result of walking around barefoot,
not this time.
The airconditioned casket keeps all in order,
Dimethyl kept at bay while in this humidity, my query answered.
Placed in the new wooden oven-ready box
barely long enough for the body’s frame,
just for an instant, I wondered,
how the feck are they going to handle this one?
The knees will most certainly not give.
Relief comes in coaxing the lid into place before
setting onto the wheelbase for one last journey;
to the crematorium fire.
Our final goodbyes placed in a flower.
R.I.P. Jango.
Most of Thailands Buddhist temples are open-sided buildings, heat and humidity would play havoc with a decomposing body’s fluids and gasses (Dimethyl,) therefore an airconditioned casket is essential. Aye, sorry for that thought.
The coffin lid is opened slightly before being sent to the flames so mourners can place a flower and say a final goodbye.
Thank you, as always Martin Rushton and the Share the Love team for giving my words a platform. 🙏 Thank you all for reading and your precious time. Always. J. 🙏✨
