All I ask Of You
In that last hour before you take me through the final door,
to travel familiar roads I shall traverse no more,
I ask of thee only this one right request
to honor such small desires at my behest.
Dress me not in wedding beauty but leave such joy bound satin for my girls.
Dress me thus in standard fare of jeans and soft black shirt, that being the clothes in which I explored the world.
Cover me thus in warm socks, hat, long sleeves,
I desire not that you fear I'm cold as always I am.
Ring my head in luscious purple cloud,
Know now that I travel in confidence forth to a new land.
Give then the people who were the treasures of my world an ending look, a chance to say goodbye
and when the the room has emptied of the hugs and memories shared,
Give over my body, already relieved of what can be reused,
And let the heat return me to the sky.
No dark and somber church for me,
but bright and growing wild with flowers,
none cut but potted to serve a greater purpose,
planted by the hands with you now,
bringing beauty eternities past the mourning hours.
Midafternoon, certain then that the window that holds my attention still whereupon I gave myself to His grace
Would surely paint my vision of my friend in His arms,that saved me,
but for you I pray it be the comfort of my face.
I will not say do not cry, for in so saying my little mission certainly would fail
I wish no guilt to pile upon your grief
So cry my loves because id cry for you,
Lift your prayers to the One who heals,
And then sing and gain relief.
Let the church ring out with song.
And if first you choose to weep in minor keys, gather close so no one weeps alone.
Then turn E minor into C
for there is no wrong choice of music for today
just linger in long lasting joy to play me home.
Now out the door you all must go and in your car parade,
Carry me just this one last time.
To a dirty lot where no one goes,
Together all turn up the soil,
Plant my flowers, but do not make it mine.
Create a path of poetry writ by far greater poets than I,
Their words must speak to love and celebration of all peoples.
Set a bench out of sight in a shady spot
Scatter my ashes there in a garden of hope
The promise of eternity through touch and care,
Needless of bells and steeples.
