I’ll know life’s joys to overflow;
   far sooner flames than rust.
Before I go, I’ll share what I know,
   Till the womb reclaims my dust.

I’ll leave a little joy behind me;
   this is my final wish.
This is all I need of heaven,
   and no post-mortem bliss.

Let the words I write, inspire,
   blades in freedom’s hand,
birds of bright desire,
   and rain to a greening land.

I’ll leave the world a little freer;
   this is my final wish.
This is all I need of heaven,
   and no post-mortem bliss.

In flesh and wind and weather,
   in sinew, blood and stone,
I’m meshed with the world together,
   yet one to myself alone.

I shall return where I came from;
   my destiny is this.
This is all I need of heaven,
   and no post-mortem bliss.

In the wombs of stars compounded,
   the elements burn and birth.
As our galaxy’s wheel swings round,
   we shall return from earth.

From stardust back to stardust,
   our destiny is this.
This is all we need of heaven,
   and no post-mortem bliss.