Recently Faithfully Departed

Death does as death is.

The best laid plans

will not be undertaken

for the undertaker

must not be delayed.

He must have his good time

embalming this heart

affixing this little smile

so all the while

the loved ones may say –

Oh now, doesn’t he

look so fine

in his black pressed suit

and shiny black shoes?

The white shirt is good, tho

blue may have been better

and the green tie

is a bit too green

bright as a spoon.

Oh me, oh my…

he never did look better.

All the perfect plans

were in place when

the clock expired.

Now here I sit in this

Costco discounted coffin

wondering what it is

that I’m supposed to be doing.

Oh, no need to cook

special tonight, my dear

I won’t be home for dinner,

won’t be home at all.

For here I lay in this box

so wooden and so woolen

my veins are drained

and ready for the fluids

that will keep the deadly grin

attached to my face.

While watching those who visit

whistle and

stare into space

through my almost shut

and squinty eyes

these others look very hazy

and not hardly worthwhile.

The problem is that

my body is stiff,

my blood is spent

but my mind is still open

for business.

It won’t shut down and

seems more sarcastic

than ever.

But surely you see

the humor in it all.

I think that I need to be

somewhere

but there is nowhere to be.

For I have passed on

in between spaces and places.

All will come to me

if I can sit still for

just a minute…

My good man, give me

another quart of that fluid

that should just about do it.

Then I promise to be

on my best behavior.

It’s about time

don’t you agree?