Death Depicted

Death Depicted

Adalyn Tibbits

My friend the artist told me
in every still life painting
there is a modest dying taking
place – a rotting plum
limp leaf
fly on the linen

Frames of fruit and florals,
a glory, a harvest
spread on the table.

I see it lingering, tucked
in the corner of the canvas.
A small stroke, the finishing
touch, haunting and humbling,
a delicate and subtle sin.

I say grace before my plate,
before the museum painting.
I thank the Artist for bread
and wine, for a body deteriorating.

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Adalyn Tibbits
Poet & Photographer

Find more of Adalyn’s work here: adalynjoy.com

Photography by Zhenyu Luo