We made final goodbyes to my Aunt Mary with flowers, too. But I am so no fan of embalmed bodies (well, I guess, WHO is?) It's what convinces me there IS such a thing as a soul. When the soul's left a body, the body becomes, well, a thing. It's why I've always shouted from the rooftops that I want NO open casket, cremation. I want people remembering me alive.

All this said, when I die, I am so going to ask God, why can't creation die without all the ugly graphic gases flies stench stuff?

Okay. Enough of this! :) Obviously your poem struck me, James!