the x-ray

it's a dash,

a mere ghost of a mark

on the thin

silver photograph

revealing

bone

and marrow.

lungs

and heart, all of

it in black and white,

but it's enough

to suddenly stir

the life in him

to want more,

more days

more months more years.

how quickly

the calendar

and travel plans get filled

as the hour

glass is no longer

trickling in slow time,

but spilled.