Last Request
When my time has come
And the Reaper pulls me
Into his final embrace
And leads me to another life
Another place
Do not fear for me
For I do not shy from the Reaper
And his outstretched hand
I will be at peace
When I am gone
Cry not, smile for me
Keep me in good memory
And remember time is short
Tomorrow may not come
So tell those dear
You love them
Do all you can
To make a stranger smile
It is not the Reaper you should fear
But having never lived
When my time has come
And the Reaper pulls me
Into his kind embrace
And leads me to another life
Another place
Take my empty body
Warm it with friendly fires
And may all who wish to be there
Gather in the field of my youth
To watch my ashes cast into air
To be carried away by the wind
To places I have never been
When I am gone
Cry not, smile for me
Keep me in good memory
And remember time is short
Tomorrow may not come
So tell those dear
You love them
Do all you can
To make a stranger smile
It is not the Reaper you should fear
But having never lived
When my time has come
And the Reaper pulls me
Into his loving embrace
And leads me to another life
Another place
I want not a funeral of tears
But a celebration of smiles
Song, dance, food, stories, and mirth
May it last until the stars
Reside over the Earth
Late into the summer night
My love for all
And all love for me
Chase away darkness fright
When I am gone
Cry not, smile for me
Keep me in good memory
And remember time is short
Tomorrow may not come
So tell those dear
You love them
Do all you can
To make a stranger smile
It is not the Reaper you should fear
But having never lived
When my time has come
And the Reaper pulls me
Into his releasing embrace
And leads me to another life
Another place
May all gather in the field
No matter appearance, religion, and race
All are welcome, All are accepting
Of the others
Of your sisters and brothers
Let the boundaries fall away
Keep your prayers in mind, not in words
Let there only be love on this day
When I am gone
Cry not, smile for me
Keep me in good memory
And remember time is short
Tomorrow may not come
So tell those dear
You love them
Do all you can
To make a stranger smile
It is not the Reaper you should fear
But having never lived
When my time has come
And the Reaper pulls me
Into his final embrace
And leads me to another life
Another place
Do not lose hope
Gain it
Do not wear black to mourn
Wear it because it’s your favorite
Do not suppress laughter
Release it
Fill the atmosphere
With so much love,
Celebration,
And music
That people on the other side of the world
Will hear it, feel it
And smile
Let someone read this poem
For all to hear
Interpret it as you will
Take from it what you can
And hold me in your hearts dear
When I am gone
Cry not, smile for me
Keep me in good memory
And remember time is short
Tomorrow may not come
So tell those dear
You love them
Do all you can
To make a stranger smile
It is not the Reaper you should fear
But having never lived
It is not the Reaper you should fear
But having never lived
-----
Accompanying songs (playlist, if you will):
"Please Remember Me"- Tim McGraw
"Close My Eyes Forever"- Lita Ford and Ozzy Osbourne
"Christians and the Pagans"- Dar Williams
"Ain't No Rest for the Wicked"- Cage the Elephant
"Good Riddance (Time of your Life)"- Green Day
"One Day Too Late" and "Would it Matter"- Skillet
"Don't Fear the Reaper"- Blue Oyster Cult
"Imagine"- John Lennon
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