Prompt: Why is poetry the language of the dead?
CW: Body horror
To preserve a body one needs to do several things
In specific order
First you remove all organs post autopsy
Then the freezer
After comes looking for marks or contusions
Then catalog.
Then you wire the jaw shut.
Only after this do you cut them open to remove liquid from under the skin.
You then gather the supplies to replace all their blood
And cut a hole in the carotid artery.
Pour the supplies inside the machine and then let it work.
You then close up the neck wound.
You finally put wax on the face.
And send it back to the cold storage for dressing later.
To preserve a body one needs to do several things
In specific order
First you remove all organs post autopsy
Then the freezer
After comes looking for marks or contusions
Then catalog.
Then you wire the jaw shut.
Only after this do you cut them open to remove liquid from under the skin.
You then gather the supplies to replace all their blood
And cut a hole in the carotid artery.
Pour the supplies inside the machine and then let it work.
You then close up the neck wound.
You finally put wax on the face.
And leave them out, they don’t want to go back.
To preserve a body one needs to do several things
In specific order
First you remove all organs post autopsy
Then the freezer
After comes looking for marks or contusions
Then catalog.
Then you wire the jaw shut.
Only after this do you cut them open to remove liquid from under the skin.
You then gather the supplies to replace all their blood
And cut a hole in the carotid artery.
Pour the supplies inside the machine and then let it work.
You then close up the neck wound.
You finally put wax on the face. It’s harder for them to blink that way
Leave them out, they don’t want to go back.
To preserve a body one needs to do several things
In specific order
First you remove all organs post autopsy
Then the freezer
After comes looking for marks or contusions
Then catalog.
Then you wire the jaw shut.
Only after this do you cut them open to remove liquid from under the skin.
You then gather the supplies to replace all their blood
And cut a hole in the carotid artery.
Pour the supplies inside the machine and then let it work.
You leave the wound open for when it tries to escape. You’ll find a trail then.
You finally put wax on the face. It’s harder for them to blink that way
Leave them out, they don’t want to go back.
To preserve a body one needs to do several things
In specific order
First you remove all organs post autopsy
Then the freezer
After comes looking for marks or contusions
Then catalog.
Then you wire the jaw shut.
Only after this do you cut them open to remove liquid from under the skin.
You then gather the supplies to replace all their blood
And cut a hole in the carotid artery.
Pour the supplies inside the machine and then let it work. You may need to hold them down for this part. They often struggle.
You leave the wound open for when it tries to escape. You’ll find a trail then.
You finally put wax on the face. It’s harder for them to blink that way
Leave them out, they don’t want to go back.
To preserve a body one needs to do several things
In specific order
First you remove all organs post autopsy
Then the freezer
After comes looking for marks or contusions
Then catalog.
Then you wire the jaw shut.
Only after this do you cut them open to remove liquid from under the skin.
You then gather the supplies to replace all their blood
And cut a hole in the carotid artery. Tie their hands down or they’ll try to stop you
Pour the supplies inside the machine and then let it work. You may need to hold them down for this part. They often struggle.
You leave the wound open for when it tries to escape. You’ll find a trail then.
You finally put wax on the face. It’s harder for them to blink that way
Leave them out, they don’t want to go back.
To preserve a body one needs to do several things
In specific order
First you remove all organs post autopsy
Then the freezer
After comes looking for marks or contusions
Then catalog.
Then you wire the jaw shut.
Only after this do you cut them open to remove liquid from under the skin.
You then gather the supplies to replace all their blood. They’ll encourage you to drink it.
(Don’t)
And cut a hole in the carotid artery. Tie their hands down or they’ll try to stop you
Pour the supplies inside the machine and then let it work. You may need to hold them down for this part. They often struggle.
You leave the wound open for when it tries to escape. You’ll find a trail then.
You finally put wax on the face. It’s harder for them to blink that way
Leave them out, they don’t want to go back.
To preserve a body one needs to do several things
In specific order
First you remove all organs post autopsy
Then the freezer
After comes looking for marks or contusions
Then catalog.
Then you wire the jaw shut.
Only after this do you cut them open to remove liquid from under the skin. They may scream during this. Don’t worry, that’s normal and they can’t feel it.
You then gather the supplies to replace all their blood. They’ll encourage you to drink it.
(Don’t)
And cut a hole in the carotid artery. Tie their hands down or they’ll try to stop you
Pour the supplies inside the machine and then let it work. You may need to hold them down for this part. They often struggle.
You leave the wound open for when it tries to escape. You’ll find a trail then.
You finally put wax on the face. It’s harder for them to blink that way
Leave them out, they don’t want to go back.
To preserve a body one needs to do several things
In specific order
First you remove all organs post autopsy
Then the freezer
After comes looking for marks or contusions
Then catalog.
Then you wire the jaw shut.
Wire it shut.
Wire it shut.
Wire it shut.
(They may try to bite you so wire it quick)
Only after this do you cut them open to remove liquid from under the skin. They may scream during this. Don’t worry, that’s normal and they can’t feel it.
(Don’t let them know it’s a lie)
You then gather the supplies to replace all their blood. They’ll encourage you to drink it.
(Don’t)
And cut a hole in the carotid artery. Tie their hands down or they’ll try to stop you
Pour the supplies inside the machine and then let it work. You may need to hold them down for this part. They often struggle.
You leave the wound open for when it tries to escape. You’ll find a trail then.
You finally put wax on the face. It’s harder for them to blink that way
Leave them out, they don’t want to go back.
To preserve a body one needs to do several things
In specific order
First you remove all organs post autopsy
Then the freezer
After comes looking for marks or contusions
Then catalog. Don’t think too much.
(Hopes, dreams, fears, want, need. desires:help.)
Then you wire the jaw shut.
Wire it shut.
Wire it shut.
Wire it shut.
(They may try to bite you so wire it quick)
Only after this do you cut them open to remove liquid from under the skin. They may scream during this. Don’t worry, that’s normal and they can’t feel it.
(Don’t let them know it’s a lie)
You then gather the supplies to replace all their blood. They’ll encourage you to drink it.
(Don’t)
And cut a hole in the carotid artery. Tie their hands down or they’ll try to stop you
Pour the supplies inside the machine and then let it work. You may need to hold them down for this part. They often struggle.
You leave the wound open for when it tries to escape. You’ll find a trail then.
You finally put wax on the face. It’s harder for them to blink that way
Leave them out, they don’t want to go back.
To preserve a body one needs to do several things
In specific order
First you remove all organs post autopsy
Then the freezer
After comes looking for marks or contusions. Marks that help show who this person was before
Contusions that connect them to you.
Then catalog. Don’t think too much about who they were.
(Hopes, dreams, fears, want, need. desires:help.)
Then you wire the jaw shut.
Wire it shut.
Wire it shut.
Wire it shut.
(They may try to bite you so wire it quick)
Only after this do you cut them open to remove liquid from under the skin. They may scream during this. Don’t worry, that’s normal and they can’t feel it.
(Don’t let them know it’s a lie)
You then gather the supplies to replace all their blood. They’ll encourage you to drink it.
(Don’t)
And cut a hole in the carotid artery. Tie their hands down or they’ll try to stop you
Pour the supplies inside the machine and then let it work. You may need to hold them down for this part. They often struggle.
You leave the wound open for when it tries to escape. You’ll find a trail then.
You finally put wax on the face. It’s harder for them to blink that way
Leave them out, they don’t want to go back.
To preserve a body one needs to do several things
In specific order
First you remove all organs post autopsy
Then the freezer
(the whispers say it’s cold in there, that they need someone warm to help. Go on. Step in and sleep there next to them.)
After comes looking for marks or contusions. Marks that help show who this person was before
Contusions that connect them to you.
Then catalog. Don’t think too much about who they were.
(Hopes, dreams, fears, want, need. desires:help.)
Then you wire the jaw shut.
Wire it shut.
Wire it shut.
Wire it shut.
(They may try to bite you so wire it quick)
Only after this do you cut them open to remove liquid from under the skin. They may scream during this. Don’t worry, that’s normal and they can’t feel it.
(Don’t let them know it’s a lie)
You then gather the supplies to replace all their blood. They’ll encourage you to drink it.
(Don’t)
And cut a hole in the carotid artery. Tie their hands down or they’ll try to stop you
Pour the supplies inside the machine and then let it work. You may need to hold them down for this part. They often struggle.
You leave the wound open for when it tries to escape. You’ll find a trail then.
You finally put wax on the face. It’s harder for them to blink that way
Leave them out, they don’t want to go back.
To preserve a body one needs to do several things
In specific order
First you remove all organs post autopsy
(Remove your heart as well. You can’t have it while doing this.)
Then the freezer
(the whispers say it’s cold in there, that they need someone warm to help. Go on. Step in and sleep there next to them.)
After comes looking for marks or contusions. Marks that help show who this person was before
Contusions that connect them to you.
Then catalog. Don’t think too much about who they were.
(Hopes, dreams, fears, want, need. desires:help.)
Then you wire the jaw shut.
Wire it shut.
Wire it shut.
Wire it shut.
(They may try to bite you so wire it quick)
Only after this do you cut them open to remove liquid from under the skin. They may scream during this. Don’t worry, that’s normal and they can’t feel it.
(Don’t let them know it’s a lie)
You then gather the supplies to replace all their blood. They’ll encourage you to drink it.
(Don’t)
And cut a hole in the carotid artery. Tie their hands down or they’ll try to stop you
Pour the supplies inside the machine and then let it work. You may need to hold them down for this part. They often struggle.
You leave the wound open for when it tries to escape. You’ll find a trail then.
You finally put wax on the face. It’s harder for them to blink that way
Leave them out, they don’t want to go back.
To preserve a body one needs to do several things
In specific order
(The order is all wrong. Go back, for your own good)
First you remove all organs post autopsy
(Remove your heart as well. You can’t have it while doing this.)
Then the freezer
(the whispers say it’s cold in there, that they need someone warm to help. Go on. Step in and sleep there next to them.)
After comes looking for marks or contusions. Marks that help show who this person was before
Contusions that connect them to you.
Then catalog. Don’t think too much about who they were.
(Hopes, dreams, fears, want, need. desires:help.)
Then you wire the jaw shut.
Wire it shut.
Wire it shut.
Wire it shut.
(They may try to bite you so wire it quick)
(Don’t forget to put their favorite poem in their mouth. Then they can only repeat those words.)
(make sure it’s beautiful)
Only after this do you cut them open to remove liquid from under the skin. They may scream during this. Don’t worry, that’s normal and they can’t feel it.
(Don’t let them know it’s a lie)
You then gather the supplies to replace all their blood. They’ll encourage you to drink it.
(Don’t)
And cut a hole in the carotid artery. Tie their hands down or they’ll try to stop you
Pour the supplies inside the machine and then let it work. You may need to hold them down for this part. They often struggle.
You leave the wound open for when it tries to escape. You’ll find a trail then.
You finally put wax on the face. It’s harder for them to blink that way
Leave them out, they don’t want to go back.
To preserve a body one needs to do several things
(Many things. Many horrible things to people you may know.)
In specific order
(The order is all wrong. Go back, for your own good)
First you remove all organs post autopsy
(Remove your heart as well. You can’t have it while doing this.)
Then the freezer
(the whispers say it’s cold in there, that they need someone warm to help. Go on. Step in and sleep there next to them.)
After comes looking for marks or contusions. Marks that help show who this person was before
Contusions that connect them to you.
Then catalog. Don’t think too much about who they were.
(Hopes, dreams, fears, want, need. desires:help.)
Then you wire the jaw shut.
Wire it shut.
Wire it shut.
Wire it shut.
(They may try to bite you so wire it quick)
(Don’t forget to put their favorite poem in their mouth. Then they can only repeat those words.)
(make sure it’s beautiful)
Only after this do you cut them open to remove liquid from under the skin. They may scream during this. Don’t worry, that’s normal and they can’t feel it.
(Don’t let them know it’s a lie)
You then gather the supplies to replace all their blood. They’ll encourage you to drink it.
(Don’t)
And cut a hole in the carotid artery. Tie their hands down or they’ll try to stop you
Pour the supplies inside the machine and then let it work. You may need to hold them down for this part. They often struggle.
You leave the wound open for when it tries to escape. You’ll find a trail then.
You finally put wax on the face. It’s harder for them to blink that way
Leave them out, they don’t want to go back.
To resurrect a body one needs to do several things
(Many things. Many horrible things to people you may know.)
In specific order
(Please remove your heart. You can’t have one if you do this.)
(Don’t forget to put their favorite poem in their mouth. Then they can only repeat those words.)
(make sure it’s beautiful)
Irving Benitez (He/Him) is a disabled and queer poet originally from NE Ohio. He is haunted by ghosts, family obligations, and past choices. He is currently working towards his B.A. in English from Kent State and plans to achieve his MFA. He loves art, ttrpgs, hidden dark themes, and cryptids (specifically Mothman). You can find him on twitter @Sea_Minor_