Before the Body Knows It’s Gone

The last breath of a once living time
moves the whole of heaven to mourning,
while the days of earth grow shorter
to keep the Soul of the World turning.

The past pursues the future
faster than the sun can dawn;
eternity eclipses death
before the body knows it’s gone.

Reminded of its destiny,
the present sky reveals its source:
All night and all day, light
shines brightly to show the course.

Waiting on the world;
its ashes will borne
forever higher an angel
with wings untorn.

Carry this weight to space,
where love itself gains
the features of your face,
and hovers while it holds them.

The gravity of earth
makes even heaven fall.
Now divinity can hear
the tenor of a more human call.