April 11, 2010Accidental Death and DismembermentMasarah Van Eyck

Both hands or both feet… $15,000

Entire sight of both eyes… $15,000
Life……………………$5,000
—from “Accidental Loss of Life and
Dismemberment Benefits,” Sun Life Insurance Plan

Browsing through the Accidental Death
and Dismemberment pamphlet,
I realize (at fifteen grand
a pair) I might give
both hands, or feet, or eyes
for you. Lovers have erred
offering to die: my death is worth
a third of me, alive and eyeless.

These are the benefits
to accidents, sacrifice
with its strange exchange. All day
I factor the equations
of my body: list my wrists,
waist, manhood,
what they call my members,

              until I arrive to your eyes
in the foyer, my dear,
greet your grand hands
with my rich hips, and understand my body
as an exclusive club: membership
of collarbone, fingertip, lip…