If I am..., when I am dead

Tentative last will and testament

If I am young, when I am dead
Nay mourn, but rejoice in song and dance
And all whom gather, show them my head
It's worthy of a last awe-stricken glance
Carry me high along the roads, I've thread
But not with worms, I'll make my bed
My body's virgin, unripened to be eaten
This wicked world, let me pass forgotten

In restless fires, let my body burn
Scatter my ashes to feed the scampering wind
Unwedded, unlearned, undoubted, I yearn
For more of this life that could have been
Freed from heaven or hell, a box or an urn
As whole in spirit, one day I'll return
And show this world, the rest of my being
And leave it thus, Noteworthily bereaving


If I am neither young nor old, when I am dead
Forgive my absence, look past my crimes
Have my love be eased and children fed
And care for my parents across their times
Would it be as they say, would it be as I've read
Pray a Midas's kiss upon my head
For what will come of the living, I may or not know
Oh, what I would give, so them all grow

To all my friends, I've loved till death
My memories, I leave to your design
In this game of living, I've nothing more to bet
Of me, do keep, a humble shrine
Little do I care, of where my body and soul is at rest
In my troubles and times, Have I been my best?


If I am old, when I am dead
No fuss, No grief, but dry your eyes
I lived many a days and through nights I've bred
Under stranger's roofs and starry skies
The worms since long have not been fed
Unto their tables, from my death bed
Heirs are briefed and to God, confessed
Repentance and formalities skilfully meshed

Tell my gathering, Its late, and I have to go
Don't stop for prayer, don't stop for respects
They all mean well, they are good people to know
I won't care for wreaths and earthly objects
All I need to know, I need to know
Am I destined for heaven or what lies below
And if this earthling journey, I'm destined try again
I think, my Creator has gone insane!

Reviews

[TL Boehm]

If we have it all to do over is a do over a crazy thing. I found that last line intriguing. A fine poem. A lot of us shy away from death but this introspection is well penned without any note of the macabre or the morose. Well done.

[Confuser]

Kenneth: What brilliant writing; so powerful - I enjoyed every single line...loved the beginning: the glance and all the masterful humble honorable words you chose. It is beautiful - the imagery and flow is fantastic: I sincerely hope you keep this for your family. This would be so marvelous one day for them to read when you do pass on...but dear God: the last line is a "killer" I truly laughed out loud. I'm certain your family enjoys that sense of humour as well. Bravo! Thank you so very much. Dale

[NoelHC]

Some interesting observations on life and death and after life. Well written.

[Coyote Poetry]

I missed your poetry. Always a lesson and good story.
"If I am neither young nor old, when I am dead
Forgive my absence, look past my crimes
Have my love be eased and children fed
And care for my parents across their times "
The above lines are the wishes for the all of us. Thank you for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[Emily]

I love your wording!
Well done!