Let There Be Fireworks

On the day I dressed in black for you
I stood in line and they did too
to toss some petals on the earth--
recognition of your worth.
But as the petals fell up ahead,
all I saw was dead on dead.
So as my turn rolled around
I only let half hit the ground.
The other half I kept for me,
a reminder to do things differently.
On the day my heart gives out
I want no petals strewn about.
If there must be flowers then I insist
that they be planted and in the midst
of everything there must be
fireworks for all to see,
shooting up towards the moon,
like a thousand red balloons.
As they soar try to see
that in each one of them is me.
And when the last disappears,
let the air be filled with cheers,
for instead of mourning, find delight
that it’s not dying, only flight.