IN THE END

We thought there would be an orderly procedure,

a scope and sequence to organize the final years:

arrangements would be made on schedule and

there would be places to catalogue all that we gathered:

long quiet hours to rearrange and meditate,

to compose a prayer from our walking

among hills and wild trees and chill air

and the taste in the back of our throats

of the ashes we would return to.

John Piccarella