Cremation

It nearly cancels my fear of death, my dearest said,
When I think of cremation. To rot in the earth
Is a loathsome end, but to roar up in flames – besides, I am used to it.
I have flamed with love or fury so often in my life,
No wonder my body is tired, no wonder it is dying.
We had great joy of my body. Scatter the ashes.

Robinson Jeffers (1887 – 1962) was an American poet known for his work about the central California coast and is considered an icon of the environmental movement.

 

Question

Body my house
my horse my hound
what will I do
when you are fallen.

Where will I sleep
How will I ride
What will I hunt

Where can I go
without my mount
all eager and quick

How will I know
In thicket ahead
is danger or treasure
when Body my good
bright dog is dead

How will it be
to lie in the sky
without roof or door
and wind for an eye
With cloud for a shift
how will I hide?

May Swenson (1919 – 1980), an American poet and playwright, was considered on the most important and original poets of the 20^th century.

Every tradition has some followers who prefer the path of denial or asceticism. Because the transitory nature of the physical is recognized, its vitality and wisdom is not honored. The power of the physical is feared rather than respected, demonized rather than made sacred.

Once we have begun a spiritual journey it may be tempting to see our bodies as a snare and a lure, always ready to waylay us from our holy path. In these two poems we see a refreshing perspective on the physical side of life.

In Cremation, fire is a fitting end for the body that so passionately embraced life. In Question, the poet sees the body as the soul’s bright dog who has given loyal service and been the manager of the physical realm. If the wholeness of life is embraced, there is no need to choose between the physical and the spiritual as both are holy and portals to the divine.

Do not despise the world, for the world too is God…. Mohammed

Life in the world and life in the spirit are not incompatible…. The Upanishads