Bibliotaph

18 years ago

"Bibliotaph" by Michael McFee in the current issue of The New Republic

Bury me with my books.

Slip one under my head:

a satin pillow's much too soft

for such a rigid bed.

Bury me with my books.

Open some on my chest,

their pages shadowing the heart

beginning its long rest.

Bury me with my books,

tossed in until the hole

is filled with words instead of dirt

and I am like a mole

happy to stay hidden,

not needing light to see

that paper heaven made by hands,

the books that buried me.

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Comments (7)

blossomgirl
18 years ago
Loved it. Here is a link to some interesting sounding books about funny/clever obits and the writers of obituaries. I don't know why but I love reading obits about other people.

Here is a link that might be useful: obitpage.com/ books
veer
18 years ago
Blossomgirl, reading obits about other people certainly beats reading one about yourself. ;-)

What was it Mark Twain said about the too early reporting of his demise?
carolyn_ky
18 years ago
Love it and have added it to my collection of quotes and poems.
blossomgirl
18 years ago
veer-Twain said "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated".

A favorite of mine- Twain also said "I didn't attend the funeral but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it".
ccrdmrbks
18 years ago
Okay, I know I'm weird, but I have a "funeral" file in my office, and I put that in there. What a great poem!
sheriz6
18 years ago
Great poem, thanks for posting it. I've added it to my own collection of book-related quotes.
veronicae
18 years ago
Better even than my suggestion to my husband this morning. I have a bit of a summer cold, and am feeling out of sorts. My pillows, flannel covered, were most comforting. I told him that when I die, I want MY pillows in my coffin - not some shiny, slippery, satiny, slim sham.