and then

I have set before you life and death . . . choose life . . . 
                                                             (Deut. 30:19)

there are 
those 
flush 
with life 
before  the worm 
turns flesh 
to rot 
breathing 
thinking 
who bury 
themselves 
in earth 
you are 
and to earth 
you shall return 
tired of being 
and its elegy 
who defying 
life  stubborn 
sat to ground 
in ashes 
clothing rend 
seven days 
seven nights 
that he 
and he alone 
mourn his 
death