Love After Death

When both are faithful and generous,
Self-restrained, of righteous living,
They come together again
Full of love for each other.
Many blessings come their way,
They dwell together in happiness,
Their enemies are left dejected,
When both are equal in virtue
Having lived by Dharma, in this world,
The same in virtue and observance,
They rejoice after death in the deva-world,
Enjoying abundant happiness.

-- In the Buddha's Words:
An Anthology of Discourses
From the Pali Canon (pp.121-122)




Love After Death


My reflected image,
the wrinkles,
the white hair,
the failing eyesight,
reminds me
of my inevitable end.

I think of
possessions
I will leave behind,
burdens mostly.
Even this body
is wearing out,
nearly ready
for the boneyard.

Love
is something
I won't leave behind.
The Buddha states
that love can pass
into future lives.

I say to my love,
"I will come for you
when these earthly bodies.
are but white ashes.
We, no longer tied
to this earth.

"When marble slabs
record our passing.
When tears have dried,
prayers have scattered
with the winds
and we are,
to our families
and friends,
but memories.

"We will come
together
full of love
for each other,
wrapped
in each other's
warmth.

"We will rejoice
after death
in abundant
happiness."