This little ditty plopped into my head this morning. Mortality rates, and mortality waits, and death is served on everyone's plate.

Everyone has a transitory story. Even if they don't tell it themselves, others will commemorate them with even a few words.

Strange that a poem of this nature should come from nowhere, on this day, May 22 evening/May 23 day which are a Holy Day in the Bahá'í Faith, the Natufia) (for no other reason than it was in this part of the world to which Baha'u'llah was banished).

Happy Holy Day to all fellow Bahá'ís! View a wonderful video for this day here.

Beens'n'Gone Ernie Calhoun has been and gone He kept a lot of cattle, big and strong His wife and five children are now getting on Thus once was Ernie, now boxed in the ground Betty McIvor, a popular gal Was the queen at her high school Galaxy Ball She wore a long satin gown and a sparkling crown But now Betty McIvor is nowhere found Willy McGee had the power of three Few could match his ingenuity He overpowered bankers with a snap of his thumb Now his grave's all dirty with weeds overrun Serena McKenna, an accountant by trade, Kept her house in fine order, as well as her blades Her smile would warm you, even start a small flame But Serena's no longer part of the game Portly Patty McIntosh, now there's a dame She could glide on the dance floor, keep a guy at bay She could hustle, and tustle, and rustle her charms Now pretty portly Patty is in nobody's arms Esther Kudester lies comfortably still Her grave is well-kept, flowers on the sill Esther Kudester was on everyone's lips In more ways than one -- if you catch my drift Life is short, a few episodes A few epicenters, and alter egos Soon we find ourselves looking for an eternal lamp Life zooms by, then we're on the exit ramp (added 2009.5.30) Topsy Bopsy could rattle a tune And thumped on a drum each shiny moon Legend has it she'd keep four rhythms at a time But now Topsy Bopsy's in a far different clime Charlie McFarley rode a touring Harley Thundered down Main Streets, incurring looks quite snarly He had studs on his vest and chains that dangled to his knees Striking fear in the hearts which are now at ease Guitar Pete was an exceptional strummer He drove 'round town in a beat-up old Hummer One day while playing an awesome riff He up and died, and that was the end of it Carolina Myna shimmered like tassels on a tree She was as tall as one, and could shake her assets free She garnished her speech with referential spice We now miss those quips — so informative and nice!

Lend an ear to an initial rendering of these epic lines (minus the added verses) in

Addenda (2006.6.10) Just came across this little passage over at Shaktari Belew's Honoring All Life Foundation. It is by Steve Jobs.

Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.