An Aubergine Ending

-for A.B.

She leaves her hair in the garden for the crows to build nests
I find it in pretty piles, purple piles like the rest

Purple piles, purple pillows, purple handles on the doors
Purple switches, purple toilet seat; all she touches, forevermore

                Outside, above the garden
                her murder patiently waits
          	One scout announces first sight
          	as she approaches the gate

          	Freshly colored hair, the late morning sun,
          	her treats tossed far and wide;
          	then she turns to me, grinning,
          	under the murder-darkened sky 

Purple treasures every lucky day I find I’m alive
with an aubergine ending, and her by my side

By my side, by my side, transformation before my eyes
At my autopsy, lying cut open, you’ll find I’m purple inside

*This poem is my Little Free Chapbook #4, out-of-print, and since was published by Ambrosia Zine in their LOVE issue, Feb 2024. So many thanks to the support of the editors there.