DO WE REALLY DIE
Chapter 5
Death, one of the major realities of life
is being pondered upon by the poet
in this chapter in a number of contrasting
ways. Some are quite foreboding
and steeped in mystery. Others
communicate more resigned sentiments.
There’s even a humorous one among them.
Here are two examples of more poignant ones:
Falling Tree Kills Sleeping Cub Scout
and
Dead Fly
Falling Tree Kills Sleeping Cub Scout
Monday, June 7, 2004 GARDNERS, Pennsylvania (AP)
A 40-foot pine tree fell in a state park,
killing a 7-year-old Cub Scout sleeping in a tent.
—For Owen Ryberg Lentz, 1996—2004
It made headlines on the news today—
One bright kid, so eager to learn about Nature
and how to live in harmony with Her,
dreaming in a tent, looking forward to tomorrow’s
challenges. One brief moment of
timeless living . . . and Nature called him home.
June 7, 2004
Dead Fly by the Window
Dead fly,
you broke your wings against the window pane.
You died in sight of life, but
freed from woe.
Frantic
was your aim, mistaking window glass
for air and sun and trees and
life on earth.
Dead fly,
you broke your wings against the window pane.
Your soul flew thru the glass and
dropped what dies.
DO WE REALLY DIE
86 Autumn in a Cemetery
87 Falling Tree Kills Sleeping Cub Scout
88 By a Pond
89 Run Over Pigeon
90 To the Sun
92 Crossing a Bridge During a Tidal Wave
93 Generations
94 Falling Down a Manhole
95 After a Swim
96 Dead Fly by the Window
97 Dark Pond — A Night Piece
99 Three Trees in Central Park