No One's As Loved As The Most Newly Dead

We all know that we all die
And we all say so
Frequently. Still the amount

Of dying, however slow
To catch up with us,
Around us surprises us

With increasing frequency.
Life's one long goodbye
Sprinkled with little hellos.
Each hello says, Now

I intend to disappear,
And each is a betrayal
Of the need itself.
I intend to disappear.