Thank You For Coming

Thank You For Comimg I like it under these shady walnut trees It is a restful spot where Time can sit and pause And maybe breathe a little too The casket is a beauty; alabaster and golden cream My friends are here and I appreciate their presence They are sitting in folding chairs in front of my coffin Their silent heads are respectfully bowed as if in fervent prayer Or maybe they are listening to the ghost music soaring in the trees, Like electric guitar birds seeking shade with the night blooms Maybe they are waiting for me to rise up from there with my song But it is just a sad madrigal for strings and a prepared-piano— My choice to share—as these dead leaves descend like lost stars— Exploding with fire and memories and used-up words Is my funeral finished now? How nice of my friends to strew forget-me-nots upon my grave If only I were truly dead and not standing over here alone Then I could at last taste the discarded crumbs of life again What a feast of bones and teeth and dust that would be!