Preparing the Remains

It’s not that all the dying
Busy leaving instructions
Necessarily believe

They’ll care themselves how death goes,
How the aftermath plays out.
They’re feeling some tenderness

Toward the life they’re leaving.
They want to give it the gift
Of good ending, good finish.

They’re trying to wrap it up
In a bow so the living
Left behind won’t pity it,

The story that has to stay
Alone and stand on its own,
Once the living of it goes.