postmortem (a poem)

when I am dead

wash my body

run your hands slowly over the parts

recognize and discover

tenderly clean my pallid, stony skin

then smooth oils scented with geranium into my skin

and my hair

spread fresh rose petals across my body

and wrap me in linen

carry my body, wrapped this way

carry my body through the streets

let the parade form behind me

let them sing and cry out loud

let everyone know I am dead

call them into the streets

dance beside them and all around me

let ribbons fly and drums be beaten

when I am dead set the dogs to howling

and open the bird cages

let time stop when I am dead