Eulogy For a Poet

Even now, as I gaze upon you -
White haired and sallow -
Laid out in a plain suit of clothes,
Your face sunken and hollow -

You remain the same scarecrow -
the same angry poet from years ago
Whose poems were fueled by ire
Whose life burned like an uncontrollable fire

You had such contempt for words
Your voice was like a caucus of crows
Sounding off at being disturbed
A cascading cacophony of echoes

And now, as you begin your final journey,
And your memory is purged and made pure -
Let us hope that the nightingale will find your heart
and fill it with its sweet rejuvenating song
Before the crows pick your soul apart