The dead give us knowledge
Rosy gold laced vase in a Minoan grave
Still shining sword resting with its loyal dead in Germany
Unknown skeleton curled gently into final surrender in Pompeii’s frozen rooms
Bread and grains and honeys in dark tombs in Egypt
Organs of bones in catacombs in Paris
And though we cannot read the patterns of intent of the long gone
Though we don’t always know why or when or how
We know them
And their final thread of life
How loved ones wanted to care for them even beyond
And how they wanted to keep life with them in the dark earth
And how they were afraid
And proud
And loved