No tears at my farewell

Enjoy life. Take every opportunity to tell someone you love them.

                      No tears at my farewell

When my body becomes tired
The blood doesn't want to flow.
Allow me to fall into a peaceful sleep.
Death will come when it desired.

At my farewell
I want no tears.
I don't want a fancy box,
With a stone describing  my name and my time of death.

I have been to the farewells of others.
So many people cry tears for lost friends,
who are beginning a new journey.

Allow the heat of fire to disburse me to heaven or hell?
Gather up my ashes.
Toss me into the great ocean.

I don't want to waste any more land.
I abused kind Earth for too long already.

If you want to present me with  memorial.
Plant trees, so many trees.
I may come back to see you there.

You may find my spirit by the sea or
roaming the great forest.
I want to roam in the beauty of nature forever.

I want a good death like the Vikings or the Native Americans
of old.

Build a bridge in between the trees.
Let my final resting place be the green earth.
 
Send my body into the sea on a burning raft.
Allow my body to escape into the gentle winds of the water.

Leaving no tears.

I want a Gypsy  funeral
Dancing, talking and remembering the good days.
A grave is left to leave sad memories only.

Wherever I land
Perhaps heaven or hell?
I will sing and dance
Raise  more cane.

Life is to be lived
Not to be depressed or afraid.
Then lay down and die at birth.

Suicide don't scare me
Being sickly done.

All of us must take the final journey.
I'm not afraid for my sake.
For I know how I felt at my brother's funerals.

I had no right to cry for them.
I learned later.
We should have remembered the good times and laughter.
Not the tear and heart break of a funeral.

I'm dreaming of a ship.
The flames are strong.
I will watch from a distance.
Friend drinking strong tequila.
They sent me off with a prayer
and a wish.
I will find some calm and peace.

Plant the trees by the water.
I will come and sit with you.

Live hard, celebrate being alive.

                              Coyote
                           1990

Author's Note

I wrote this 20 years ago after my brother's death. I learn life isn't no guarantee. Best tell the people you love them often. Laughing and singing will leave you with a complete and full life. Being pissed off will blind you to the the good around you. Any mistakes. I would appreciate the help. Never too old to learn.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

This is so beautiful & brilliant, there are no words to comment . . . just sorry (((HUGS))) about the circumstances of your brothers' deaths (I remember this happening twice in your family?) I have the same feelings about when I die, but you've expressed it with much more natural honor & grace than anything I ever thought about. This is such a beautiful tribute & reminder to all of us (((HUGS)))

[Coyote Poetry]

I appreciate the comment my friend. Death is just another journey for us.

[The Tea Party Mouse.]

It must have been very hard to lose your brother, and for that I am sorry. I'm glad you haven't shut yourself away from life, because it is all around. Beautiful poem. And yes, I agree. Death is the start of another journey.

[Sam Severn]

Inspiring n' beautiful!! Your works always leave me breathless with the possibilities of life, n' wanting to change the world! ㋡

[Sarah McConnaughey]

I really like this, especially what you said about nature. And I love the idea of planting trees to remember someone. Written with such sincerity and emotion. Well done.

[MuSe Ampoule]

Great write Coyote. Brilliantly stated...
"I don't want a fancy box,
With a stone describing my name and my time of death."
and
"I don't want to waste any more land.
I abused kind Earth for too long already."

[emmajoy]

oh how I appreciate the sincerity and emotion in this: live every day, be happy .. go with the wind, fly without tears. For me - ashes into the ocean where, for a while, they might float, looking up at eagles flying.

This is so beautiful .. truly beautiful writing, no lines more so than others .. a poem to be learned and held close to the human spirit.

[Jeff Bresee]

I really like this Coyote. Hits close to where my mind has been wandering lately.

[Revolutionary]

This does not read like a poem.I think it reads like a story or an artsy article.I would have someone read it for me when I die if I were you.That way they will remember to rejoice for you.I grew up southern baptist.We had a wake where you party for three days then on the fourth day you mourn

[poetic soul]

wow..awesome words...and more awesome is the emotion etched to it...
i had written something on the similar lines...
but, this is way way way better!
expressed beautifully...

truly put "life isnt no guarantee...tell people often u love them"
this is wonderfully told in the poem too...loved the read...deep!! :)

[Bethany]

I love this poem, you always write with such passion and this is so evident through your wording. Well done:)

[Cheyenne]

How i have missed your great poetry coyote!! I really honestlu have your words bring such image to a readers mind!! This poem is how i feel like should be taken. life is a thing given and easily taken away. I adore your poems and always will