in memory of Praim-Vishal Singh

if not the ankles
then start with the knees
the dead will need their legs
bring the bones back from broomsticks
and mold clay in to muscle
consider the potter’s symmetry

solder sinew at each joint in brass
these legs should absorb
like the ripe silica liver
like the suppressive conscience
if you fancy a conscience
any two-sided coin will suffice
secure this with nylon
near what will be called the chest

snake the copper-wire nerves back to a spine
to raise the dead you will need a spine
a ladder will do

knot each rung with bootstraps or shoelaces
whichever texture best suits the ribs
the ribs the Gatling series of triggers
fastened amidst the precious organs
the sandbag kidneys
the garden hose intestines
the wasp’s nest lungs
humming a breath violin

this is how the dead rise

rip the glass from out your bathroom mirror
and bind the wood-rich frame
with every rubber band you own
pound it with a hammer
they must flex and bend
know how to hold and break

slide five pieces of lead and a matchbox in to each end
to love, the dead need only heat and hands

shuffle through every photo album
you’ve ever assembled
and cut the faces
from out their pages
create a collage of familiar
on the inside of a fish bowl

this is what the dead resembles

the nose a best friend who bloodied your own
the ears of nights that taught you song
the eyes of lovers you cannot forget

the dead grins this haunting

if you desire a brain
use a shotgun

give the dead a voice

shred the pages of your favorite book
a diary
a bad report card
and burn the remains
capture a cricket
and toss it in to the flames
watch it die
seal the ashes in a tiny glass jar
and seance

this is what the dead will say

give me a heart
something you call precious
place it in my chest
and carve a small hole
exposing its workings
now your blood
just a few drops of blood
take a blade and squeeze
funnel it from the palm of your hands
just a few drops of blood
this is you I will be you

I will be you

this is what the dead will plead
remember them let them plead
remember them as they were the light the bridge
the spark the heave the tunnel the push the fight
the clutch the rise the gift the bark the bold
this is you remember them

give them life
and they will walk amongst the living