Speaking of tombstones, like you said,
I don’t want one; it’s not
just the cost, it’s . . .
my philosophy of justice.
To sink a stone slab at my
head,
engraved with dates and
deeds
as if to render up
accounts
to any stranger that can
read,
would be to weight my
spirit down
when it ought to be most
free.
My old woman used to say,
“People have expectations.
“It’s the basis of
society.”
That’s just how people
are, you see.
If they think they’ve
known you,
they think they own you.
So even when you’re dead
and gone,
they still want to judge
you on
what you have and haven’t
done.
I’ll tell you a secret,
though—one
better kept than it should
be—
death is a release,
from even a good
life.
As for me, I’ve had all a
man needs;
I’ve had lovers; I had a
wife;
I have children I love, and
they love me.
_____________________________
Image from thestar .com/travel/northamerica/article/1076911--resting-places-of-the-rich-and-famous
