Writings

We store our dead

We store our dead

We store our dead
in little cubes
stacked on top of one another
in the cold

We store our dead
then put them on display
weeping widows say
you never looked so good

We store our dead
in a box
and shove them
in a hole

Lawyer man’s got my wishes
chuck me upon a funeral pyre
I don’t need no formaldehyde
this shell doesn’t need to be preserved

We store our dead
six feet under
taking up valuable space
let me rot

We store our dead
even though we know we’ll be forgot
wrap me in some muslin
let the worms have their feast

We store our dead
but they are biodegradable
let them decompose
and feed the soil

We store our dead
in an overpriced box
it’s not efficient
and prevents natural decomposition

We store our dead
what the hell for?
Are we going to need them later?

Let me become plant food
Don’t pickle me
I don’t need to be preserved
Don’t paint me
I look fine as I am

Don’t put me on display
Photos show a better view of me

wrap me in cotton, naked
drop me in a fire
I don’t need this skin no more

Build a bench
plant a tree
give them a little marker
maybe someone will remember me

Lawyer man’s got my wishes
chuck me upon a funeral pyre
I don’t need no formaldehyde
this shell doesn’t need to be preserved

Let the ashes be free
return me to the universe
Ain’t nobody gonna be there
for my last day

Make me into Soylent Green
I don’t care
I’m not here
Just don’t have me take up unnecessary space

Don’t store me in no box
I don’t need preserving
don’t bury me six feet deep
I’ll have already faced my mortality

chuck me upon a funeral pyre
lawyer man’s already been paid
I don’t need a storage box
the flame’s good enough for me

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Advice from 44 BCE

3 Comments

  1. Red

    Where’s the reference for placement at a body farm?
    Like this one – – the set up reminds me of lyrics. Find someone to put music to it.

    • Irene

      Oh, trust me. I’ll make sure you get to the body farm. 😉 Actually, I couldn’t figure out a good way to work it in, but I’ll remember to send you there when the time comes.

  2. Suzie Wysocki

    I love this! I’ve always said, I don’t need real estate when I’m dead.

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