the purest thing
is to leave the remains untouched
sprawled on the floor
dripping from the ceiling

in your honor
no therapeutic brooming and clearing
no prophylactic anti-bacterial spray
even when no one is looking

my presence will trickle onto them
like sap
and they will come alive

I will keep my face and posture straight
as I renounce sovereignty
as they bite and dig through
build nests
colonize all of me

edemas will be soft and warm
and I will be swarming with life
selflessly
in your honor