Cremation

I stay close to home these days, my roaming needs seeming to expire with age, finding more of what I need in the Silence of packing; of course, this worn-out body is far too cumbersome to even contemplate wanting – like frayed clothing, now best for rags; like empty cans for the recyclable: I wonder how Earth will handle my re-purposing?~as for my poetry, will my works know future lips? Be Whispered and sung, inspiring others fancying fireside light and chat, within the warmth of flickering, yet mysterious shadows? Or will my words, unceremoniously settle like bird droppings on tombstones, surrounded by laurels of weeds, a forgotten chapter? That settles it, I will opt for cremation! Leaving tombstones and graves for most politicians, TV Evangelists, and Movie-stars, needing their world monuments where the Devil will easily find them for substantive reunions....

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Unseeking Seeker

Date: 7/20/2022 2:49:00 AM

Hindu tradition is cremation. Why’d we want to be remembered after we’re gone?

Joe Dimino
Date: 7/21/2022 3:38:00 PM

My own opinion, I really do not think we need our names on anything. What we do good (and bad, unfortunately) are published to the universe.

Lady Labyrinth

Date: 7/20/2022 2:09:00 AM

"as for my poetry, will my works know future lips? Be Whispered and sung, inspiring others fancying fireside light and chat, within the warmth of flickering, yet mysterious shadows? Or will my words, unceremoniously settle like bird droppings on tombstones, surrounded by laurels of weeds, a forgotten chapter?"

Joe Dimino
Date: 7/21/2022 3:43:00 PM

Wow! love your description, frankly better than my poem. Absolutely breathtaking. Keep this up, and someone will make an app for tracking down your essences when you are gone -- making millions! Blessings my friend. Your visits are cherished.

Lady Labyrinth
Date: 7/20/2022 2:10:00 AM

I am all for cremation. Love it (the idea of it all)...cremation it is! ashes released to a breeze (not interred into some cavity of a wall, like a nagging, painful, loose filling); ashes released into a breeze, balmy, or freezing full of life, that carries it into the nostrils and bodies of the gorgeously unsuspecting, eventually infecting their minds in ways they are totally unaware of, yet magic still remains. :) xx

Bill Baker

Date: 7/5/2022 2:53:00 PM

A topic of great interest to many people, Joe. I liked your poem and openness about your personal choice, but as you said, it is an individual choice. Write On! my friend. Blessings, Bill

Joe Dimino
Date: 7/5/2022 3:37:00 PM

Thank you, Bill; your visits today, make my day!! Blessings!

Gershon Wolf

Date: 7/2/2022 9:30:00 PM

Joe, I guess this makes me a contrarian in these circles,... but isn't the human body sacred? Do we cremate dogs, cats, or other pets? No, we give them an honorable burial. All the more so should we do for you, when the time comes, and every other member of the human race!! Let's end this horrible pagan practice of cremation. (Interesting that the Indians and Nazis, both wearers of the swastika), have been the chief practitioners of this abomination. O.K. ~ Just sayin.' May God bless you!!

Gershon Wolf
Date: 7/4/2022 7:05:00 PM

Thanks for the thoughtful, considered response. Blessings, Gershon

Joe Dimino
Date: 7/3/2022 1:05:00 PM

This is a personal choice of mine -- I understand, Gershon; your faith requires a sacred burial. I respect your reasoning. Not for me though -- one can have all the prayers and blessings and still a be cremated. Pagan Ritual? Oh well, if this is what you feel. Some people do cremate their dogs and cats. Leaving the body above ground, for nature to recycle, allowing birds and insects to eat their fill is all right with me also. I am all about spirit...and when I die, and my spirit/soul has ascended (4 days for complete withdrawal), in my mind, let earth reuse my basic elements for new arrivals...or whatever. But, again, this is my belief, and you may be perhaps far wiser and better informed than I. That's OK with me. Blessings my friend. Please do not go anywhere in the near future though, you are needed here at Soup.

Vijay Pandit

Date: 7/1/2022 5:02:00 AM

Much depth you convey through this intellectual discourse, Joe. A FAVE from me for speaking for so many-- who wonder about re-purposing and flickering shadows--as we ponder legacy after life. Great vocabulary!

Joe Dimino
Date: 7/1/2022 9:01:00 AM

Thank you, Vijay; your kind words made my day. Blessings my friend!

Michael Tor

Date: 7/1/2022 12:44:00 AM

Joe your Poetry will live on. Just read the great comments below mine. Both my parents were cremated. Excellent thought provoking piece. Your descriptions were brutally honest.

Joe Dimino
Date: 7/1/2022 9:05:00 AM

Thank you, Michael; it seems right for me. If anything I have done or said, is worth staying on this earth, it should not be this spent, outward shell of me. The internet will decide:)

Harry Horsman

Date: 6/30/2022 10:47:00 PM

A poem for thought, and yes i agree Joe, its a cremation for me. But while i'm there, i'll carry on enjoying poetry as good as this.

Joe Dimino
Date: 7/1/2022 9:06:00 AM

Thank you, Harry; such an inspiring, blessed comment. Have a great day my friend!

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 6/30/2022 2:43:00 PM

Great last several lines… Leaving tombstones and graves for… where the Devil will easily find them for substantive reunions

Joe Dimino
Date: 7/1/2022 9:08:00 AM

I don't want to help him, by leaving any physical part of me within his earth-full reach:)

Susan Woodrow

Date: 6/29/2022 11:38:00 AM

very strong case against burial... enjoyed :)

Joe Dimino
Date: 6/29/2022 12:52:00 PM

Hi Susan; of course, each person decides for one's self. A grave is not important to me. The thought of my spirit being called back to earth, to politely acknowledge prayers or scorn, does not appeal to me:)

Jim Slaughter

Date: 6/29/2022 10:47:00 AM

A question that I daresay most writers, not only poets, ask and have asked many times. But, not to worry, Joe. As long as the WorldWideWeb and sites such as PoetrySoup continue to exist, our words will continue to be "whispered and sung".

Joe Dimino
Date: 6/29/2022 10:59:00 AM

Thank you, Jim; nothing is lost on the web. It is a huge world-brain, with countless little good and bad firing neurons. I fluctuate between columns. Clicks are our future, gone the error of omnipotent sharpies. Blessings my friend!

Jeff Kyser

Date: 6/29/2022 10:19:00 AM

I have no delusions that my works will remain, lol. Enjoyed, Joe!

Joe Dimino
Date: 6/29/2022 10:53:00 AM

Thank you, Jeff; we should start the Delusion Free Club:) Blessings my friend.