When I am gone
and not around
I want no mound
to mark the ground
where I lay still
but let me be
alive and well
in memories

of those I touched
and knew me well
my wish is such
a place to dwell
and let them feel
me in the breeze
that keys the move-
ment of the trees

and let me rest
in Waldon's Pond
then to the stars
and far beyond
I'll be a part
of nature's plan
inside the heart
of every man

and let them see
me in the eyes
of lovers' glee
and baby's cries
for I will be
in all these things
in rains that fall
in birds that sing

and this will be
my epitaph
'he laughed to live
and lived to laugh
and laughed at life
he never dropped
until the day
the laughter stopped'

then I will rest
a restful sleep
I did my best
now trust my keep
to He above
who shows the way
to endless love
for this I pray.