Rest in Peace Larkin Gieringer It seems almost perfect here. My cluttered life has dissolved away. Anyone who remembers must be gone. So why can’t I seem to rest? The moments I promised to cherish forever Have slipped to obscurity quite quickly. I’m comfortable yet tormented in my crumbly bed. Why can’t I seem to rest? Nature gently prods me along; She can’t wait on me forever. “What is the delay?” she impatiently asks. “Why can’t you seem to rest?” Each time you walk across my stone Or stop to check the inscription Something within keeps holding me back Why can’t I rest? If only Nature could erase The monument that draws you near. Why do I have to be in this crowd? Why can’t I rest now? So many animals pass without notice, Yet you must stop to ogle. It’s not so strange, the position I’m in. Why don’t you let me rest? I’ve seen my shell return to the earth. Countless creatures and plants have gone also. If only you would release my soul; Won’t you let me rest? I can’t explain why I’m still so attached. I want the world to forget me. But maybe it’s what I need to forget. Is this why I can’t rest? It does seem almost perfect here. Time flies on without a care. I wish I could let go of myself. If only I could rest.

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