WHAT HAPPENS TO THE GARDEN OUTSIDE THE HOUSE
WHEN THE SOUL IS LEAVING

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Every death has a whiff of grief and abundance, of unpicked
fruit that decays and smells, of pears and medlars...

Gaustine

I’m leaving this body sighed the soul
I’m leaving the home of this body it’s
blowing cold through all windows the win-
dow frames are clattering the boards are rot-
ting worms can’t settle down rats and weasels
will topple the roof the barn owl
alighted on the chimney is waiting

...
On the next day when they return from the graveyard
they air out the room throw away the wreaths put out
the icon-lamp wire the door shut
cross themselves and leave

The apples
will fall in the garden and rot
The plums
will fall in the garden and rot
The leaves
will fall in the garden and rot
The chrysanthemums
The late blooming roses
The perennial aster

And what has been is what
will rot in the garden

The incense of fertility