passing

An archaeologist dusts the final layer of sand patiently
particle by particle with the tiniest brush.
An ancient sapless remnant of life revealed
exposed to ultra-violet violence
sighs and crumbles to dust

the child whose eyes cannot tolerate a single wave of light
stumbles and cries out in the dark
his mother in a moment of panic switches on the light
and sees her son for the first time
as he dies before her