On a bed of woven wormwood and myrrh
Say the holy words from blessed mouth
Of distant gods and long forgotten ancient lore

As you place my cold flesh on the hearth
May it rise to golden clouds of heaven
Or for my sins descend into the darkness of  hell.

For no soul now resides in this skeleton
As it has happened since the dawn of man
And a thousand times before the old ones tell

So burn my body in the old way
Pray naught do not grieve
Because my life is no more

Instead
Let my body rest
In a fire of woven wormwood and myrrh
As did the distant gods and all who came before

@ Copyright Tammy M. Darby Jan. 21, 2019.