Instructions for the Afterlife

You were you last night,
but you were not you, she says sleepily
and then morning simply continues
with its mailboxes and beehives.
But you will know, soon enough, this was practice
for when you are dead, but not dead.
For when you become
a zoetrope image of a man
standing perfectly still. In this dream
which is now your life, she will ask
what is it like this being no longer?
And you will say nothing.
You will ask even less,
because this is the opposite
of your intention. Because, how can I
tell you the person you loved is me,
but not me. How can I explain
peace is fluidity, and joy, the absence
of needing to know, if you are,
finally, happy.