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.
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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
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Ah, a seasonal libation. Prost!
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:D :D :D What are you searching for in that drink?
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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!
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:D Same here!
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Dare I say, after reading your macabre verses, you live in LaLa Land. :)
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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!
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lol this was deep.
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No deeper than your ankles, I assure you. Thanks, wsm (b)
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(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.
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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!
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It’s so important to have these end of life discussions early so everyone is on the same page.
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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
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You have it all planned out.
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These things have to be done! Thanks, Sadje!
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I hope your directions are followed carefully.
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Alas it is true, Sadje. I can only point out the path. I can not walk it with you.
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Exactly.
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Wouldn’t the bread crumbs be more handy to leave a trail for home? Besides, bread is bad for ducks.
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Pretty sure of these ducks are already dead.
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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.
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Just because they’re dead doesn’t mean Pam can’t care
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Yes, the world would be a better place if people would stop feeding ducks (and other birds) bread. Thanks, EE.
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Ducks love bread, and who am I to argue with a duck? Thanks, Pam!
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Ah, well ducks aren’t the smartest flapper in the pond.
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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.
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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!
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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!
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Lol 💜💜 funny one!
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Thank you, Carol!
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and cookies..can’t go into the afterlife without cookies.
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That’s first-class fare, George. If you got it, flaunt it. Way to go!
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Thank you, E Sum!
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When you arrive you’ll be the un-life of the party.
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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.
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I’m dead. Oh wait, that’s him.
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Well, we have all been dead once or twice, EE. And thanks for commenting!
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next life will be better than this.
a promise to myself
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And the one after that one, too! Though between you and me, I am quite fond of this one. Thanks, Anne.
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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.
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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
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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.
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That is very kind. Thanks, SC
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Very pleasant meditation on our own mortality, to approach it with such warmth.
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Thank you, Considal
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Pretty poetry
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Thanks, Ivy
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Do you have any relationship with the sea???
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Only in the evolutionary sense.
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Like use ferrys regularly
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I would if I had any reason to. Alas, I must settle for the bus.
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Ocasionaly, you can see whales or porpoises.
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They are not as common on the bus as you might think.
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Of course you can’t see them on the bus, but I’ve seen porpoises while on a ferry before.
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This is such a comforting way of framing passing over. I love how it’s mournful especially in mentioning the snowglobe. Beautiful.
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Thank you, Earnest. Such kind words. Much appreciated.
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💙⭐
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Thanks, CBD
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Hi George
We like your little text.
Thanks
The Fab Four of Cley
:-) :-) :-) :-)
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Thank you, K. In trefology all our welcome (more or less).
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Yeah, remember the simple life of commons.
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Remember? They never let me forget. Yap yap yap. And thanks, ni
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lovely, simple and deep!!
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Thanks, tsinvari
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This is beautiful and original!
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Thanks, Shriya!
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