Phoenix, Rising
Raytraced graphic, Anders Sandberg

Why I Have Chosen Cremation
Renee Carter Hall

Let me rise like a phoenix
from my own ashes,
the only part of me that could
survive the flames--
the light within all blazing gold,
shining feathers and glory.

No one likes to think
of decay, of slow-creeping fungus,
as natural as both may be--
so think instead of the purity,
the heat and glow of fire,
how it destroys and creates.
I will be a part of it then,

ephemeral, eternal
as smoke.