CARNATIONS IN A SUPERMARKET

Fourteen days and chucked in a bin
A death sentence for the amputated
Printed words wrapped around
At least they have a name

In a bright mortuary of buckets and shelves
Paralysed for the final moments
Colourful Juliets pretty in coma
Resurrection is guaranteed

Helpless, emotionless, standing in water
No mouth to cry out with
No walk, no touch, no love needed
Neglect is not a sin

Their beauty doesn’t exist
It’s merely an expectation
Of perfection in the next few days
Or, the recollection of their kin at their best

Maturity is their only guilt
Time to wake up the executioner

Taylor is a Japanese mother of two, born and brought up in Tokyo, Japan. She has lived in Portadown, Northern Irealnd since 1995.

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