As excellent as we've all come to expect of you, JD. Fresh and clear.

if only i had half the talent. god, you rock. :) and i feel dumb 'cause that's all i can come up with... you've knocked the words out of my head.

this is great Jadi - when you time comes may you fly on expansiveg winds out over the ocean (enjoying the view)- myself, I like the thought of a viking's burial. A flaming longboat over the ocean, into the sunset...but then again, i've always been an exhibitionist! ;)

The approach sounds beautiful.Accepting death as part of life tantamounts to accepting it fearlessly like any other event. I like the whole approach.

Stunning perspective that truly expresses an honest and natural approach to death. Exquisite form and execution! Thanks for posting.

So you stole it from Raw Silk Poetry? Man, don't admit that! Lol.. This is the coolest poem I have read in a while. Wow. Makes me want to pick out a mason jar and hang out with you.

Sounds like a man who knows what's important and what he wants. A fine bit of instruction for those final remains. Here's to hoping it will be many more years before you get that particular view. Excellent as always JD.

Gentle humor, poking a little fun at all the fanfare of funerals. Having just very recently attended viewings of two elderly matriarchs of relatives of in-laws, I think they are times not only of remembering and honoring the departed but of renewing old acquaintances, including relatives. But we'd remember you whether there was a viewing or not. You hang your shingle among the stars.

Amen, brother. I love the mason jar - clear glass, used for preserving... no fancy urns for you. They'd obstruct the view! I love this one.

whil'st you are yet flesh regale not in the coming ash and out through souther window hail the sun still burning

That's kinda how my dad wants to go, and through this poem, I understand the thought patterns of that better ;) The last two lines are a great closing because it brings in a personal desire of the speaker in slight contrast to the unselfishness that builds up in the whole poem. (...if that makes any sense at all)

Still I can't stop wondereing why it is of any importance at all where or how or even if your ashes are kept somewhere. It's not the remains of our body that keep our memory alive, is it? it really has me wondering why it would matter anyway. Great read though!

Ah, you buddah you! To face this end with such lightness of being and expression is what I'd like to attain. The fine simplicity here is peacegiving. thanks buddy.

LOL! Count me in on that show jadi. Brilliant reflection on mortality and immortality.

wow, this is amazing! few people can figure out what they want in life, let alone in death. however a "grim" subject, this is quite far from being grim. it's filled with joy and best wishes, and that's just beautiful. :)

this is incredible... you have written a piece that is admirable and something many of us can relate to... i think i would love that sunny spot toom when i am gone... excellent... blessings...

Great idea Jadi but take the Mason out of the jar first. Funtastic poem.....Charlie

That's a much more pleasant wish than funerals and memorials as they usually are. No burials in the cold ground, but a good spot in the sunshine. A beautiful concept that your writing is right on par with. Flawless.

Great- the best I could have come up with is- Don't dump my ash in the trash.

I've known many a Sexton as I have moved around a lot. This one fits many of them. It certainly takes a special kind of person to be a good Sexton. This is right on.

Straight forward and matter of fact with an attitude toward ceremony that I can relate to.

I love the attitude that in death certain rituals have no meaning - the rebelliousness of being free can even extend after life is over. Oh man, do you ROCK, jadi!
~Chelle~

This type of poem just does it for me. The usually dark subject turned into snark and triumph. <3 Congratulations by the way, on making Poem of the Day. You deserved it =)

So simple the words you've used in this one, but so complex with a mellifluous and subtle alliteration. This one goes in my faves for sure.

Here he speaks-- with appropriate use of past tense, (and fresh from life, considering that such instructions are yet to be followed)-- and as if to a friend. He tells us what he wants--with very simple yet prominent, attention getting purposefully ordinary colloquial talk ("peaceful-like" "lotta", "don't need no" "ain't no" etc) and simple natural (personally characteristic) gestures such as ("save" "the flowers for the bees") this lovable poet wants us to "dump" his "ashes in a mason jar" -- love the transparency of his wish and his vision quest... The title "No Sexton" is an interesting one. Yes, one of the sexton's duties is often to bury the dead. So appropriate in that way. But do I hear a reference to another poet (it's unavoidable really, using that word in a poem) who was fascinated with death, made her own happen, left instructions for her funeral, (imagined a pink casket), and was buried in a prominent cemetary? "no call for satin pillow" may be general--but yes, particularly recalls such. The "ain't no pall to bear" can refer to the coffin itself, its cover but more, I think. No gloomy atmosphere, the more general meaning of pall. Directions as to the direction in which a head should face in burial are common-- (in ancient Egypt the head was to the south, facing west. But here it's the "window" in which the (most common but inventive)mason jar is placed...and it's the one that receives the most light. Where the "bright"est sunshine is. Yes. The tongue in cheek playfulness toward afterlife shows in "let the Angels sing if there are any" and "I always liked a good show". Yes. And you give us one here, and an endearing one.

theres a lot in here, and every single word off it works. i like the rhythm/conveyance/message/slang. all of it.

You said it best my down-to-earth friend.
Clear & sheer humble peace/joy attitude.

near a window facing south up high preferably so I can keep an eye on things I always liked a good show... wish I could find my answering poem to this one JD. One of my faves..

I love revisiting things now that I'm older. I absolutely still am inlove with this. It rings.

beautiful, love this.

Congrats on POTD, JD!

Le tue parole Maestro, come sempre, nutrono i miei pensieri...amoreluce*pace