Daily Requiem Mass

At the sundown

When the burial must be done

There will be nothing left to be interred

Each rising kills;

Each sleeping lay in state

An essential part of the body--dead

A song, a wail, a tear

All work with and for

Same result: our death!

So sing me another song of love

Tell me of roses and Shangri-la

Teach me of the father’s love

And the son’s willing sacrifice

Life with its vast marshlands

Is enough interment of desires

Dressed for a Requiem Mass

Before the quench of the final breath!

Give me wreaths to decorate my bed

Write me tributes for special messages

Lead me to my private cemetery on birthday:

These shall outlast my tombstones

Whatever is done or undone

There shall be nothing left for interment

When the final breath is gone