When I Have Died

When I have died and left behind forever The dragging heaviness of age, sore felt Through years that stole the young, the gay, the clever; When the tired soul is glad at least to sever The feeble sheath wherein my spirit dwelt, In freeing flame the husk of me shall melt; And those few ashes no dark urn shall ever Shut from the blaze-blue sky. One last request: Scatter me in the land I leave behind, The prairies my exploring feet once roved; One with those strong raw-colored plains I’ll rest, Once more run lightly in the Texas wind, And be forever part of all I loved.