Poetry 2016 / 074

And What of Death

And what of death

that fateful realm we fear

and through our fear make worse

I say embrace

this night-clad marvel

for what harm can it do us

once we are gone from mortal flesh

and if naught there be beyond

then all the better

that I embraced my fill of life

and left regret behind.

Mourn not for the missing mass

of flightless atoms that was me

and laugh instead, for earth is room enough

without one more to clutter life

and steal the precious air.

Put me from your minds at once

and with the sooty scent of angels

release me to the great unknown.