Last Rites

I saw your picture in The Times
Taking the corpse for a walk
Lack of conviction in the crimes
Render speechless the ways we talk

I saw you at the park today
Taking the corpse for a run
Celebrating triumphs in degrees
Academically already won

The squatter's last rites are the only rights left
Left bereft between lines in remainders
So for our next date, dear, how about dinner
And a Desuppression Chamber?

I saw you out on the bypass
Taking the corpse for a spin
You with the wind blowing your hair back
He with that perfect grin

I saw you down at the Dream Cafe
Taking the corpse to dinner for free
Surreality with a side of beef
Dream service with a gratuity

The squatter's last rites are the only rights left
Left bereft between lines in remainders
So for our next date, dear, how about dinner
And a Desuppression Chamber?

I saw you onstage last Saturday night
Doing standup with the corpse
That dummy never says a thing
'Cause a corpse is a corpse, of corpse

You move his mouth in perfect time
You script all the words he will say
And you give him all the punchlines
You're so generous that way

The squatter's last rites are the only rights left
Left bereft between lines in remainders
So for our next date, dear, how about dinner
And a Desuppression Chamber?

 © John Kennan 11-25-16