LAKE MICHIGAN

Outside my high up window

 the great lake lies like an undulating carpet.

A treasure from the ice age, it will be here long after I’m gone,

 long after my children and their children.

I’ve loved this lake all my life; although I’m not a fisherman, sailor

  and rarely a swimmer.

I spilled the powdered remains of my parents

 and first wife into these waters,

Watched their froth slowly conjoined with the eternal-

            better here than in a wormy hole.

I don’t know the veracity of heaven or hell

            or the survival of souls

And when I’m done, this lake will do for me too.