Distant Jabs At A Soul

Otis first noticed
The unusual mark on his neck when he was 42
He was married to a lady
Though that term is generous
Who looked like a nesting doll having sex with its own shadow
The pain of being born had never left her shoulders
Ain’t that something to do with being Catholic?
Otis said don’t be scared
There’s more to life than living long
He pulled her close and held her tight
And took her tears upon his chest
Otis as a ghost
Was a bigger success than as a human being
They say that sometimes if you listen hard enough
You can hear him not giving in