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.

[Valentine]

My parents have trees planted in their old country in their name. Ashes to ashes dust to dust, live life for today, do not let worry about tomorrow get in your way. Valentine

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree. I want many trees planted for me. Allow me to give back to kind earth.

[Irenic]

like your every poem this poem is too light hearted and thought provoking one. the way you expressed the value of tears , I agree. i like this stanza of your poem the most
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.

it is very beautiful poem

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Irenic. A good life leave pleasure and kind memories for the people left behind.

[Irenic]

Welcome :) and I agree with your point :)

[Ice QueenJen]

Such a great poem about the last days of living and how it should be done. I love the line "I want a good death like the Vikings or the Native Americans of old." Showing that you want to be remembered in a good way, not stuck in the ground. This also reminds me of a movie where the main character said " no more worms" since he wanted a Viking burial and not put in the ground for the worms to consume his body. To me this poem is timeless, and no matter what happens your death should be celebrated like you said.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Jen. I'm 1/2 Ojibwa. I like the old ways.

[Ice QueenJen]

me too... it kind of puts more meaning into a persons death than just putting them into the ground. I am going to be cremated after I pass from this plane of existence, and set on my husbands mantle.

[YouoweYoupay]

A tribute to ur late brother, a tribute to beauty of nature, and a tribute to dying in peace. Every line was loveable and has taught me something new. Thank you for sharing. I hope your brother rests in peace and quiet.

-youoweyoupay

[Desert Dreamer]

This is as it should be...as always, you have wisdom to share with the rest of it. I also do not want to be buried in a box, but instead want to go back into the cycle of life when the time comes. We should remember the good times, celebrate life.

[White Ink]

This brought tears to my eyes.. once again, great poem.

[Hatchling]

This is so stunning!!! I love it

[Sweets]

Wow. This is wonderful.
I totally agree with you, we shouldn't cry if someone died and I keep telling my parents not to cry if I died. Anyways, This is so creative! and i truly loved this!
Nature is where we were born and where we should stay.
Nicely done!
p.s. I'm adding this to my favorites =)