By: Jehangir Saleh
Written: October  26, 2005

Dear Marie

I do not know what you look like
But I imagine you look how I feel –
Tubes invading your veins, drugs numbing your body
Until it feels like that forgotten mound of clay
That the artist practiced on until it was so deformed
He used it as a paperweight

I know you would rather watch hockey games
Than have to battle to two slimy fish flopping about
In your chest cavity
I think hockey is silly and useless
An activity where sportsmanship has been displaced by violence
But I know longer think this anymore
because hockey makes you forget
And forgetting makes you happy
This is totally unreasonable thought

I know that you ask questions about why your creator would make you suffer
I know you believe sometimes it would be better to die

There is a woman whom I have never met in person, but who has told me she is dying. She is about the same age as I am.
I sit in this circle, surrounded by young, lovely, warm and compassionate people. And I think of death.
Or maybe I’m just making all of that up.