Here lies one who hunted freedom
down the wind,
yet paced beside man’s loneliness;
here lies one who rejoiced in the
hanging rain and sweeping sunlight,
who curled into dreams and danced
into the heart of every child;
here lies one who watchful lay
around the sleeping babe, warm on his belly;
here lies one who would have died
for those I love, unquestioning;
here lies one who asked nothing of
the world, gave all he had to give;
for here lies one who gave to me
his heart,
who, hiding cancered bones, took
his death flying,
as a joyous game.
Here stands one who is ashamed
beside the one who thought of me
as God.
Here lies my dog.
(April
1987)
