When they cremate me,
I want you
to be there, to watch
me burn,
to watch me turn to
dust.
Stand before my pyre,
I’ll rain my ashes
on you. Deeply breathe my smoke and
for one last time,
you shall experience me.
All the things you
never said. All the things
you could have done for me – and didn’t .
Save it for another
life.
Watch me spark, burn
and turn to starlight.
Watch me become human
cigarette. Watch me
til my embers cool and I combust to ebony
dust.
When you weep for me
– wail. Whimper.
Snivel. Let the tears flow down your cheeks,
so my hovering spirit
can be content.
Come closer. Let me warm you one last time.
Come closer. Let me fill your ears
with the crackle of
my flames. Come closer.
Let me disturb your
mind with this image of me,
sizzling in a castle
of fire with my black smoke
billowing to the
skies. Stand before my inferno.
Let your skin burn
with regret. Let me cloak you
with my floating
remains. Let me disarm you
with this dust of my
conclusion.
Lick your ashy lips
on my cremation day. Take
your final taste, my
love. Enshrine me in your mind
until you die, for I
am doomed to be dust.
From Emerald Journey: A Collection of Poems by Kavita Vidya Ganness