Scientist Seeking

When I’m dead, give me back to the trees. If they have forgiven my ignorance, hold no ill-will that it took so long for me to learn–learn their names, their fruits and leaves and texture of their skin. Every day they gave. Food to eat, a home to sleep in, air to breathe.

When I’m dead, give me back to the trees. Let my body, returning to its entropy of star dust, nourish those that sustained me. Let me now give them the phosphorous, iron, oxygen, carbon I’m no longer using. Let it sustain the lichens and mosses, the birds and bugs, the fungi and critters. Give me back to the trees, they’ll know what to do with me.

If you must, place a plaque for remembrance. List the name–genus, species, common name. Teach them how to say her name, to thank her for her freely given gifts. When I’m dead, give me back to the trees so I can finally live.