YOU WHO IGNORE TIME
DO NOT PITY ME
UNDER MEDICAL SENTENCE
MY WASTING BODY
NO LONGER HELD
BY LIFE’S EMPTY PROMISES
TASTES EACH INHALATION
ENJOYS EVERY TASTE
GREETS NEW MORNINGS
WITH RAPTURE

NO ROSES FEEL
AS SOFT AS
THESE LAST FLOWERS
NO PETALS FALL
AS SLOWLY AS
AS THESE FINAL BLOOMS
NO COLOURS FILL
AS FULLY AS
THESE AUTUMN LEAVES

AND WHEN
IN MY LAST DAYS
I LAY
BETWEEN PAIN AND PEACE
THIS PRESENT LOVELINESS
WILL GENTLY EVEN THOSE
FEARFUL MOMENTS

DO NOT LEAVE ME
BEFORE I LEAVE YOU
DO NOT WAIT AND BRING
AN EMPTY BODY TRIBUTE
GIVE ME FLOWERS NOW
I WILL ENJOY
BOTH YOUR PRESENCE AND THEM
SO VERY MUCH