Sand & Tears/'Til the End of Time

This postcard photo of an old tomb in St. Louis was the inspiration for the two poems below, both by Sappho.

"Sand and Tears"

Build my tomb

of sand and tears

Cover it with flowers

Tend it for twelve months

twelve weeks,

and twelve hours

The winds will scatter

the sand and tears

Then will come the showers

to wash away

the very life

that was once ours.

"'Till The End Of Time"

I'll build you a tomb of rocks and marble

granite, cement, and stone

I'll visit you there every day

You'll never be alone

I'll bring you roses, lilies, daisies

all the summer through

I'll keep them watered with the tears

I will shed for you

I'll throw myself onto your grave

I'll wear black veils and beads

I'll mourn you 'till the end of time

draped in my widow's weeds