107: reading "For Andrew Wood" (What would the dead want from us) by James Fenton

We are blessed as humans to be surrounded by a poetic halo filled with objects of our choosing.  Today I was reading this beautiful memorial poem written by James Fenton.  For Andrew Wood by James FentonWhat would the dead want from usWatching from their cave?Would they have us forever howling?Would they have us raveOr disfigure ourselves, or be strangledLike some ancient emperor’s slave?None of my dead friends were emperorsWith such exorbitant tastesAnd none of them were so vengefulAs to have all their friends wasteWaste quiet away in sorrowDisfigured and defaced.I think the dead would want usTo weep for what they have lost.I think that our luck in continuingIs what would affect them most.But time would find them generousAnd less self-engrossed.And time would find them generousAs they used to beAnd what else would they want from usBut an honored place in our memory,A favorite room, a hallowed chair,Privilege and celebrity?And so the dead might cease to grieveAnd we might make amendsAnd there might be a pact betweenDead friends and living friends.What our dead friends would want from usWould be such living friends.Send me a note at [email protected]'m making a push to build up my youtube channel.  Here's an easy link to subscribe.  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoOlX6NXyQBABYljo1vAuHA?sub_confirmation=1