I Know My Rites

When I die I want to be buried
In a cardboard box, underneath a tree,
And I want the things I love there, too.
I want them all to be buried with me.

Lay me in the box wrapped in velvet,
With a soft feather pillow and a fabulous hat.
Dress me in silk, with lace and ribbons
And give me a model of my favourite cat.

Don’t forget some things to read:
I get bored without a book.
And make sure my make up is beautifully done,
I always care about the way I look.

I know I’ll be dead and will not know,
But I want the things I love there, too.
In the end we each die alone
But give me, at least, a picture of you.