Everyone should have to dig a grave.
Choose a spot, break the earth
dig and dig and dig
jump in
dig and dig and dig
cold splashes on the face
bailing water
from the always giving, taking earth.
Everyone should have to dig a grave.
Then, feeling the arms light,
hearing the smuck
as the body lands and settles,
seeing how the first shovel-full
lands and
illuminates the face
for a moment,
though the earth abideth forever.
Everyone should have to dig a grave.
Digging, digging, digging
then, a few stones on top
a few quiet thoughts and
the wiping of the brow,
the sun on the damp soil
finally, the back turned.
Everyone should have to dig a grave.
The day is coming
when this will be deemed a talent.