Psalm I
Commentary on death
And each shall return to the Lord of heaven and earth—
The Lord also of what lies between—like sunrise and sunset?—
Each to meet his Lord in decision of good or bad.
So welcome
To the good ones—uplooking—faithful—wise—
Here are your loved ones to show you to your home.
Welcome also
To the ones beset with confusion or ignorance unchosen
Who nevertheless possess humility in hope of remedy—
You too have a home and time to make amends.
How sad—
How sad—for the bad ones who must be met—
Raised to the path of volition whence each came,
Led to the edge of what could be pictured
As a bubbling, flame-licked volcano,
Spurned by willful ignorance—
By stubborn unteachableness—
By countercommand—
Thence a ruling read by a priest from above and marked
By secretaries and those needing closure to hear the wrongs
And bad choices perhaps regretted with copious tears and pleas
Unforgiven for lack of correction after counsel and coaxing
Indicative of incorrigibility—
The document of decision.
Then down to the fire quick-felt to scream one last scream
And serve one last swallow as body and soul turn to ash.
In the time of wisdom
And in the time of love—
A gift blossoms
To those of needed closure—
The wiping away of tears.
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