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.

I like the message that death should not be feared, nor mourned and yet this was really sad and poignant. Great poem.

[Alexa Katerina]

This is emotional and with a great messedge, I love it. :)

[robyn.alexandra]

Strong, simple, with a sense of faith.
To me, hope seems to spring from your words. Bravo.

[Annie N.]

this a "true to the heart and soul" poem. a truly amazing write, and certainly one of my favorites. great tribute to death and those taken. thanks for sharing :)

[HorrorMaster]

Excellent poem.

[Jasmine]

the idea weaved into your poem is wonderful. I've wanted this exit too. Yet it is too difficult for those we leave behind. Grief is a natural process that cannot be escaped - a healing.

A good poem, but I think you've come far in those 20 years since of writing poetry.

[Marie Harrison]

Loved this poem! So true. I love hearing the funny/memorable stories that are shared at funerals. But to tell you the truth, it's so painful for me to see the person dead. They don't look the same. It makes it too tramatic for me. Then for months instead of remembering them like they were I remember them in their box. I love your idea of a memorial service and planting trees in your memory. I know I want to be cremated. I would like people to remember me in joyful way that's respectable. Great poem. We know you family will know your wishes now!

[Magdelena]

Absolutly fab my friend! I found just that one part that was mentioned below, but oh my! your words told of so much. it held me facinated as each line filled my thoughts and eyes till finally I felt like I was looking at a masterpiece. This blew me away!

I am in awe..

Mags xxx

[ORBLE]

Wow this is brilliant, a poem that really made me reflect on my own life and those of other's. For we shouldn't mourn those who have sadly passed away, as you say we should celebrate their life and their time with us. We should have a positive outlook on death as it is the start of a new journey. A really well written piece of work.

Just a slight grammatical error: "We should of"... should be "We should have" but don't let that take away the beauty of the poem. Stunning write. Ella x

[OT]

Very nice! such strong imagery, very evocative, it's sad but inspiring, a nice read