On the Pyre <br /> <br /> Oh please out there do so take care <br /> For I have experienced a test<br /> A figure in a pyre of fire<br /> And he was grinning at his best<br /> <br /> I slowly opened the pyre door<br /> I do not know what for<br /> To check his situation I guess<br /> But he cried please close the door<br /> <br /> For I have been cold since days of old<br /> When I left my warm sunny clime<br /> And came up here to moil for gold<br /> With you in our cold dark mine<br /> <br /> I slammed the door and left him there<br /> But the scene burned in my mind<br /> And I couldn't erase that tormented face<br /> Though I tried my best at the time<br /> <br /> Now old Ned he was a friend of mine <br /> And I promised to respect<br /> His final wish on his demise<br /> To be cremated all fully decked<br /> <br /> We parted ways and I returned<br /> To my homeland in the south<br /> But I came back to visit the land<br /> I so fervently regaled about<br /> <br /> The funeral pyre was still aglow<br /> And there he was still in the bed<br /> With flames licking round his feet<br /> Still consuming my old friend Ed<br /> <br /> You&acirc;��re back he said raising his head<br /> I thank you now for the favour<br /> I'll forever cherish my lot in here<br /> And always will it savour<br /> <br /> So I left him there in utter despair<br /> And heaven knows as my mind I cast<br /> How long that image will be with me<br /> Or how long that pyre fire will last<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> John Cornick<br /> Halifax, Nova Scotia<br />   Submitted By: John Cornick