The Speed of Life

The View to the Cathedral
Victoria, BC
G. Cornwall, c. 2011

Part 1 - The Speed of Life 

"That's the speed of life," I say.

Were I to have glanced away

a moment earlier, what then

my friend?

-another sweet landmine

deep in these woods,

another sweet landmine

I don't remember planting

when last I passed.

Insidious as broom

though nowhere near

as yellow nor stable.

Solid as breath,

the faint warmth

upon my neck 

as you held close

to say

goodbye.

Boom.

Big bang.

The breath

of goodbye

upon my neck.

The breath of goodbye 

upon my neck.

Part 2 - The Speed of Afterlife

Was it not enough to feel,

to breathe,

for the heart to beat?

In the middle of miracles

I dared ask for more.

In death,

I cannot feel breath.

The light from eyes

does not reflect.

The beat of a heart 

not heard,

for I am gone.

Is it not life 

without witness;

not miracle

without touch?

Whisper my name

that my life sounds

throughout time.

Drum the beat

of my heart

in your ear.

All will hear:

life, life, life,

echo me near,

echo me near.

-Gillian Cornwall, c. April 26, 2013.

Vancouver, English Bay
Gillian Cornwall, c. 2010