How to Forget

"Taia o moko, hei hoa motenga mou."

Inscribe yourself, so you have
A friend and ally in death.
If you are fierce and daring,
Inscribe yourself near your mouth
And around your eyes. No one
Who pauses to talk with you
Will miss your ferocity.

If you are even braver,
Inscribe the cup of your skull
So that your thoughts can be gleaned
By the harvesters of life
And polished by anyone
More daring than you, eager
To wear the trophies of ghosts.

And if you are so lacking
In fear for the world's dangers,
Respect for other beings,
And need to be remembered
That you disappear inside
Your inscriptions, you can leave
Leaf litter in the forest.