I long for the beautiful light,

I long for the warmth of the fire.

I long for the sweet release of death

As I climb my funeral pyre.

I lived a good and carefree life,

That will never seem to end.

And I grew old, too old to live,

And so for the pyre I send.

I've lived a life of no regrets,

I've lived two lifetimes long.

But now I need to rest in peace -

I need to sing my swan song.

I wish to know how pain must feel,

I wish to know of tears.

I wish to know that when all's said and done,

I won't live two hundred years.

I've lived a long and sheltered life,

I've lived a life of joy.

I've known love, known to laugh,

I've held my little boy.

I've never felt pain or woe,

I've never had to cry.

But now I want to feel those tears,

Now I want to die.

I hope to be released from life,

I hope to be set free.

I hope that those I've left behind

Will not mourn or cry for me.

Copyright © 2006 Catriona Elizabeth Mowat