A Prayer at Dying Time

An Ancient Ionaan Jewish Poem

(or so Iona Dickinson and Butch Henderson say it is)

When I die, if you need to weep,

Cry for someone walking beside you.

And when you need me,

Put your arms around others,

And give them what you need to give me.

You can love me most by letting hands touch hands

And souls touch souls.

You can love me most by sharing your joys

And multiplying your good deeds.

You can love me most by letting me live in your eyes....

And when you say prayers for me, remember what our faith teaches:

Love does not die. People do.

So when all that's left of me is love,

Give me away.