Wholesome Zombie-Hood

author’s note:

“Come into the garden, Maud,
     For the black bat, night, has flown.”
                   --  Tennyson


WHOLESOME ZOMBIE-HOOD

I can’t spin here
anymore--there’s
a time to resurrect
a time to water along
with all the other
plains animals.

But before I leave this basement
--where I found my base--
I will tell you there's nothing to fear
--not even yourself--
if you now feel the need
to begin active zombie-hood
down here in the earth:

If your eyes appear blank
the eyes have turned inward.

If your mouth won’t speak
the zombie listens to itself.

If your walk looks robotic...

the zombie must still
go through
the motions.  Heroic.

Though this cell has existed
for ages, today the sacred prison
is more important
than ever before.

Today--
having abandoned horrific ritual--
many of us must pass through
such catacombs...

we must perform this sacrifice...

we must bind ourselves thus...

we must submerge...

in productive zombie-hood.

Don’t worry--you won’t die--
this cave has just
enough space...
though too cramped
once you finally bury
what has died.

But don’t worry--
you won’t stay--
this cave lacks
just enough space
to force us to break out,
to force us to sprout
as our roots grow down.

Don’t worry--
this deep sea cave provides
the right nourishment
for us to resurface
from our sunken ship
feeling refreshed
and darkly wholesome.

© 2011, Michael R. Patton
earnest audio