Kodokushi (孤独死) or lonely death refers to a Japanese phenomena of people dying alone and remaining undiscovered for a long period of time…. sadly… this is not just a Japanese phenomena .. My view is that we need to talk more about why many die alone.. and quality in death…..
Last night I read about ‘Kodokushi’,
the politics of despair.
Grunts and strains upward,
counting the stars alone.
A 69-year old man
discovered three years after his death
….. no death poem, only the longest night.
An indented grey pillow,
on a winter sickbed.
No one to watch the threads of a life unfold,
many not even knowing.
I though, how will I die?
A soap bubble, before it bursts
or a chill before moonlight
….. the end of a long day?
An exhausted me, timeless drudgery.
Confusion, misery and apprehension
with only the slurping sounds.
Maybe I will write a poem, just before.
A simple happening…..
and yet, a drop of hope grown
…..a man’s end and mound of gleaming words.
A Wandering Poet 