Jezebel on the Mantle
She waits to be spread
across the Atlantic Ocean.
No one will take her
there, but me-
A duty I will not perform
out of devotion or love.
I cared for her least of all,
yet, I will drive her
ashes to the shore
with the tin metal can,
shaking beside me
in the passenger’s seat.
I did not attend the funeral
where she was
viewed in a white sheet
on a cooling board with
head “nappy” and
pink hanky in hand.
I was not there,
but I will speed to the shore,
knowing no one could have
loved her less.
No one could have
loved her more.
Shawn R. Jones