Instrusion

Death Barged In

by Kathleen Sheeder Bonanno

In his Russian greatcoat

slamming open the door

with an unpardonable bang,

and he has been here ever since.

He changes everything,

rearranges the furniture,

his hand hovers

by the phone;

he will answer now, he says;

he will be the answer.

Tonight he sits down to dinner

at the head of the table

as we eat, mute;

later, he climbs into bed

between us.

Even as I sit here,

he stands behind me

clamping two

colossal hands on my shoulders

and bends down

and whispers to my neck, 

From now on, 

you write about me.

flagrancy, an atrocity
nothing vague - nothing subtle
can you feel it
distinctly tactile to some - obscure, vague to others

taste it, metallic
touch the blatant intrusion, the unwelcome invasion
BANG
make yourself comfortable
settle in to stay
how dare you enter this space
ignore it and it will leave... 
if only

control over every part of the routine of daily existence
insidious, street-smart
order, is there order left, any semblance
altered, taken, snatched from grasp
wandering in circles - in the house, in the woods, at bronswood
will it ever return
no, just longings for things that will never be
ever

sinking under the weight - oppressive, stifling
feeling the breath
palpable, manifest
i'm freezing
the hairs on my nape disturbed... forever disturbed
i'm writing

I AM writing!
DAMN YOU