Slow drain, Body numb. Mom holds him, Shaking, Mind doesn’t fathom The space of time and body, Only the analogy, “Like we’re dancing,” Leaning, Holding on To more than gravity An enemy Of atrophy Cold sweats Dreams Of the crusades Invading my sleep, My religion No longer exists Each fiber slowly dying with blood loss, Unexercised; The Exorcism of Faith. A demon invading, Permeating Us all “Do they know” This thing has got me? Its fingers pressed To my throat Slowly closing A gasp A tear This bed It breathes His soul Back Into the world Like a puff of smoke Into freezing air We watch it disappear.