Six Feet Under

The sky looks different
Than imaginings of a lifetime
From six feet under
Looking up
I see only darkness
Cloudlessness
Roots
Of one million trees
That have lived here
Longer than thought

Bells sound different
Behind the church
From six feet under
Muffled, mournful
Drowning in hollow mists
Creeping in the alley
To choke the drunken man
They whisper secrets, sad and old
Sold souls

My skin feels different,
Moist and cold,
Six feet under
Wallpaper
Windows
Waters of winter
And yet I feel
Raging fire
Under my shroud

A child comes by
With pencil and paper
I know her
I know all
I am a rock
I am the paper
Crinkled and clumsy
Souvenir
Of weathered text

I am no longer
Whatever I was
I will lie here
And sleep now
Dreamless
Soundless
And know that today
Heaven looks different
Hell is much colder
And heaven and hell
Are just six feet away