When I die, please
remember to place
a gold coin in my
mouth so that I may
pay the Ferryman.
***
And while you’re there.
***
Place another coin
in my ear— so I
can do a magic trick
for the Ferryman.
***
Next, please fill an
envelope with bread
crumbs, then tuck it
in my inside jacket
pocket.
On the envelope write:
“For ducks”
***
And lastly, place
a small toy globe
in my lower jacket
pocket, so when I
reach the land of the
dead
I can show everybody
where I used to live.
.
t r e f o l o g y 
In Aus, a barman pouring a beer with that much head would be sent straight to Tartarus.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hah! It was an egg-nog old fashioned. Not much of a beer drinker myself. Actually, not at all. But an egg-nog old fashioned? Right up my alley. Thanks, Bruce
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ah, a seasonal libation. Prost!
LikeLiked by 1 person
:D :D :D What are you searching for in that drink?
LikeLiked by 1 person
A question as old as this blog. I always start out earnestly in my search for the answers of life, but then, I just end up breaking for lunch. Thanks, mm!
LikeLiked by 1 person
:D Same here!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dare I say, after reading your macabre verses, you live in LaLa Land. :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
LaLa Land by way of ancient Greece. Charon is the ferryman whose entire job it is to take souls across the Styx. And he’s been doing that job since time immemorial. Though I do wonder if he knew that when he applied for the position.
“What are the hours?”
“Time immemorial.”
“OK.”
Thanks, Nancy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
lol this was deep.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No deeper than your ankles, I assure you. Thanks, wsm (b)
LikeLiked by 1 person
(1) Can I put a gold paper wrapped chocolate coin in your mouth? It has the right look, and you can eat the chocolate once you’ve disembarked.
(2) How about a wheat ear penny? Seems appropriate for your ear.
(3) Dead ducks are useless. Are you sure you want to feed them?
(4) You’d attract more attention in your new hellish environment if you could show them a snow globe with your residence 3D printed inside.
LikeLiked by 1 person
God loves a duck. Nobody likes getting wheat ear. And do you want me to walk the shores for eternity?!! So nix on the chocolate. And thanks, D-money!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s so important to have these end of life discussions early so everyone is on the same page.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Look at these as a set of instructions, Crow. Too many good people have already slipped off this mortal coil without a gold coin in their mouth, or a toy globe in their pocket. I hope to fix that.
Of course, the bread crumbs are optional, though the ducks will trail the boat until the first bend, regardless. So it’s nice to have something for them. Thanks, C
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have it all planned out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
These things have to be done! Thanks, Sadje!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope your directions are followed carefully.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Alas it is true, Sadje. I can only point out the path. I can not walk it with you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wouldn’t the bread crumbs be more handy to leave a trail for home? Besides, bread is bad for ducks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pretty sure of these ducks are already dead.
LikeLiked by 4 people
The ducks are fine. The Styx is the border, the threshold, the long hallway before the great cosmic door clicks shut.
You’re not in the land of the dead yet; you’re en route, drifting through a liminal space.
And, trust me, if there is one thing ducks love more than bread, it’s liminal space. Thanks, Crow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just because they’re dead doesn’t mean Pam can’t care
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, the world would be a better place if people would stop feeding ducks (and other birds) bread. Thanks, EE.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ducks love bread, and who am I to argue with a duck? Thanks, Pam!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, well ducks aren’t the smartest flapper in the pond.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Firstly, EE, the ducks are definitely not dead. And I am beginning to think I am the only person here who has ever crossed the river Styx. Be it as it may, thanks for commenting, Efficiently. I hope to see you here again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
These are all nice people but I would not count on them to follow your instructions on a timely basis. If I were you I would carry around the coins in my mouth and ear at all times. I already have a bread crumb envelope in my pocket for emergency food and now think a toy globe is a genius idea!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I wish I could carry coins in my mouth but my mouth is where I do most of my talking (my fists are a close second). Thanks, Geoff!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lol 💜💜 funny one!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Carol!
LikeLiked by 1 person
and cookies..can’t go into the afterlife without cookies.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s first-class fare, George. If you got it, flaunt it. Way to go!
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thank you, E Sum!
LikeLiked by 1 person
When you arrive you’ll be the un-life of the party.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Maybe so. But I’ll also be bringing a bowl of my famous potato salad. And that never fails to get a party back on an even keel. Thanks for showing up and commenting, Logan.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m dead. Oh wait, that’s him.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Well, we have all been dead once or twice, EE. And thanks for commenting!
LikeLike
next life will be better than this.
a promise to myself
LikeLiked by 1 person
And the one after that one, too! Though between you and me, I am quite fond of this one. Thanks, Anne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Most importantly, try not to feed the ducks too much bread as it’s not good for them.
I’ve got the gold though, no problem.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ah, the ducks will do fine. Mostly we should stop giving them cigarettes. That is the real killer. I don’t know how that tradition started but, I guess, there is something about a duck smoking that just looks cool. Thanks, again, EE
LikeLike
This is beautiful and whimsical at the same time. I love how it mixes humor, imagination, and a touch of sentimentality — even in the afterlife, it’s full of personality and thoughtfulness. Truly a lovely piece.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is very kind. Thanks, SC
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very pleasant meditation on our own mortality, to approach it with such warmth.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Considal
LikeLike
Pretty poetry
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Ivy
LikeLike
Do you have any relationship with the sea???
LikeLiked by 1 person
Only in the evolutionary sense.
LikeLike
Like use ferrys regularly
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would if I had any reason to. Alas, I must settle for the bus.
LikeLike
Ocasionaly, you can see whales or porpoises.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are not as common on the bus as you might think.
LikeLike
Of course you can’t see them on the bus, but I’ve seen porpoises while on a ferry before.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is such a comforting way of framing passing over. I love how it’s mournful especially in mentioning the snowglobe. Beautiful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Earnest. Such kind words. Much appreciated.
LikeLike
💙⭐
LikeLike
Thanks, CBD
LikeLike
Hi George
We like your little text.
Thanks
The Fab Four of Cley
:-) :-) :-) :-)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, K. In trefology all our welcome (more or less).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, remember the simple life of commons.
LikeLiked by 1 person
lovely, simple and deep!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
This is beautiful and original!
LikeLiked by 1 person