"coffin" is a scary word.

I've wondered for a long time whether or not this century will be an archeological find a couple hundred years down the road. Will we fall into the foundations of the earth, only to be dug back up later as a prized find in the glimpse of human life in the 21st century? Somehow I don't see that happening.

Most of us are put in boxes, planted in the ground, and the surrounding area cultivated neatly by a paid undertaker. But thousands of people die every day, and cemeteries expand. Where will we all go? Where will we all fit? I don't think they allow cemeteries to be built upon just yet. For the record, I don't want to be buried in a cemetery or placed in a box when I die. I'd be honored if there was a memorial, but I don't want to pay hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars for a container in which my body will do exactly what it would do in the ground: decompose and rot. I'd really just love to be put under some tree, or near some flowering plants where I will do some good to the earth.

Anyways, I wrote a song last week. It's about the realization that the only thing left of us when we die are merely bones, and maybe parts of a preserved outfit once considered beautiful. It's about a hope that when we die, we'd leave something for others to continue. That our lives would embody both the literal and figurative sense of being the foundation of things to come....I know I don't wish to be remembered by a tombstone, for that isn't much of a memory at all. I wish to be remembered through life, not a gravesite, as the person I aspired to be. As for the song...it's not that interesting to read, just a lot of repeating parts...but I really like the music/melody that I wrote for it. Not that it helps, since it's not as though I plan on actually singing it. ;)

all we are are bones and flesh
moldy and torn that pretty dress
lay me rest and bid me part
and pray upon the younger hearts

I will soon be dead
my body in the ground
fuel for coming peoples
my body in the ground

nations build a future
build upon my skin
they'll stand upon my own two feet
my body in the ground

all we are are bones and flesh
moldy and torn that pretty dress
lay me rest and bid me part
and pray upon the younger hearts

all we are are bones and flesh
mold and torn that pretty dress
lay me rest and bid me part
and pray upon the younger hearts

all we are are bones and flesh (nations build a future)
mold and torn that pretty dress (build upon my skin)
lay me rest and bid me part (they'll stand upon my own two feet)
and pray upon the younger hearts (my body in the ground)

and pray upon the younger hearts