Death in Bed

There are no instruction manuals, no 

pocket book sized pamphlets complete 

with diagrams and bullet lists, no

chapter devoted to proper etiquette

for initiating foreplay

with bones. I could use some advice

on what to wear: a pink negligee

or maybe just skin? Or less? 

Should I worry about making death 

feel at ease? Do I offer him a drink?

Gin and tonic or under the rocks,

what do you say, lover? Do I call him

lover? Turn the lights off or leave 

them on? And again, the question 

of foreplay. Would it be easier

if I made conversation? Come here 

often, do you? Lover? Maybe 

when he comes, I will just lie 

still. Maybe I should ask him 

if he would hold my breath.

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SAEED JONES received his BA in English from Western Kentucky University. He is currently pursuing a MFA at Rutgers-Newark. His work has appeared in StorySouth, Barnwood, Umbrella, and Pomegranate among others. Feel free to check out his blog at calamityjones.wordpress.com.