The Absurdity of Death

The Absurdity of Death

The cold, damp morning was silent 

except for the murmuring 

scents of altar flowers 

in the church’s nave.

Amid the scented flowers, 

thoughts flew in and out of my

memories like sad, fading melodies, 

and with salty tears, I tried 

to find a place of solace, 

where the thunderous drone 

of death’s shadows would fade.

But, I became embraced by death’s enigma 

and lost direction in my collapsing world,

as my sadness left trails of tears into hours of sorrow. 

At the cemetery, I found 

wilting flowers wafting bitter scents 

into my senses, and I wept, trying unsuccessfully to

solve the absurdity of death.

Biography: James has published five collections of poetry, five novels, and over 1850 poems, and forty short stories, in scores of national and international publications, such as; Zin Daily, Poetry Ecotheo Collective, The Academy of The Heart and Mind, Morphrog, London Grip, The Ink Pantry, Sparks of Calliope, Nebo, Penwood Review, Front Porch, The American Aesthetic, El Porto, Badlands Journal, Sparks of Calliope, and hundreds of others.  He was nominated twice for The Best of The Net Award, and four times for the Pushcart Award. He earned his doctorate from BYU, and his BS and MA from California State Polytechnic University, SLO.

Image: Unsplash, downloaded (https://unsplash.com/photos/a-wooden-bench-sitting-on-the-side-of-a-road-6F3JVgSJo6o) 24. 4. 2025.

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