Ignored Corpse on the Paris Metro in 1987

Ignored Corpse on the Paris Metro in 1987

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Words Found In His Hands

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The moment comes

contradictions obvious

vision crystal-clear

pain of being alone

there is dignity

in an honest moment alone

when the heart feels

the loneliness of living

there is fullness

in love, doing right unto others

in taking the moment for what it is

and living in it

there is release

in turning the moment over

facing the feelings of now

even though they cause pain

there is peace in death

what will grow from life's compost

of living in the moment

of being then letting go

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There comes a time when there is nowhere left to go, and you surrender. Life can be suffering, but release finally arrives, and there is nothing left to do.

Found these words on a corpse in the Paris metro in 1987. Everyone just walked by him like he wasn't there. I stopped and sat by him and said some prayers. I could smell urine, and there was a needle in his arm. On his face was a smile and his eyes rolled back white.

An odd feeling of peace came over me. I don't know how long I sat there as people walked by. Then I saw a piece of paper in his stiff fingers and read it. It was the words above. Who I was I to judge this man. From his words, he seemed a good man. It seemed like this was the end he wished for.

The people kept walking by. Then one woman looked at him with disdain. With her fur coat and designer purse, expensive shoes. I told her if she wished to see death to look in the mirror.

The peace in his rolled-back white eyes and smile has never left me. I copied the words, put them back in his hands, and covered him with a blanket in my backpack.

I did not want to leave him but had no choice, so from my heart said another prayer and left him. The strangest thing was I felt blessed by this man I am not sure he needed my prayers. 

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David Arndt 2022

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At the Palace of Versailles outside Paris in 1987.