Gone Again

one last breath
the sky is high
the hungry earth
the empty vein
the ashes rain
death's own bed
man's own kin
into the wind
one last breath
hole in life
love knot tied
braid undone
child born
the hollow horn
warrior cried
a warrior died
one last breath
lick of flame
spirit moaned
spirit shed
the heavens fed
man's own kin
grips the sky
and he's gone again

-- Patti Smith
'Gone Again'

The news reports are full of fire and destruction. The current euphemism for dead is 'gone' it seems. That family is gone, his children are gone, her friends are gone. Recovery teams search the ashes and across the country I am consumed with fever.