The Perfect Funeral

When I die, for often we do, 
I want…

Ah, but I'm getting ahead of myself.
Before the perfect funeral, 
First I want a good life;
Not too much, you understand---
Just the ordinary miracles.
To never stop learning
Fall in love
Create Art
Be merry
Protect the Earth, She's all we have.
And what's the use of a life
You can't leave to your childrens' children?
(Note to self-don't forget the importance of voting.)
A Home
Lots of trees
A garden
And wild berries in the woods
Are essential for the raising of healthy children.
I'd like a huge family
Only two or three children, of course;
I mean a gathering of close friends.
I can picture cozy nights around the fireplace
The little ones in our laps
Snuggled against our chests
To hear the adults' voices 
Resonate as we talk;
The older kids upstairs
Playing the new games 
Or just talking too.
I will surround my children
With music and stories and love
Teach them magic…

I want to live that way.
I want to mean something to those after me.  
I want to be part of a community.

I want to grow old, 
But stay strong.
Mind bright
Senses feeling, reeling
Let me die full of life.
A paradox?
When Death comes,
As she always does
With her smile and her ankh and 
The sound of her wings
Or perhaps it will be Death
And he will say HELLO.
(But I think I'd be more eased 
If it were she.)
Anyway. 
When she comes, let me be in the garden
Warm summer twilight
While fireflies flash in revelation
Let me have just said Goodnight to a friend---
"Don't worry, I'm just a little tired.
I think I'll go rest outside"
And I would feel the earth and grass with my feet
And a little weak, sit down.
When I see her I might be frightened,
But I think I will smile 
('Cause really she's such a nice person.)
For one sweet last time I would feel my body
The smell of the grass
The sound of the trees and the crickets
The touch of the wind on my skin.
I would remember my family and our children

Then I would take Glass's hand
And her hand
And then we would go.