Beyond The Pyramid of Cestius

he was not water
nor dust upon forgotten air
need you not
his deeds
to read
in ancient stone
his heart alone
is all remembrance fair.

The Sweetened Earth

How sweet is the earth where you rest
do the wild poppies in their delicacy
flavour your sleep with eternal dreams,
the gentle lyrics of oblivion’s reverie.

How soft are these immortal ashes
bequested by your funeral pyre
do they make for tender sheets
to hold forever your writ’ desires