Dust if you must, but wouldn't it be better
To paint a picture, or write a letter,
Bake a cake, or plant a seed;
Ponder the difference between want and need?

Dust if you must, but there's not much time,
With rivers to swim, and mountains to climb;
Music to hear, and books to read;
Friends to cherish, and life to lead.

Dust if you must, but the world's out there
With the sun in your eyes, and the wind in your hair;
A flutter of snow, a shower of rain,
This day will not come around again.

Dust if you must, but bear in mind,
Old age will come and it's not kind.
And when you go (and go you must)
You, yourself, will make more dust.

Very much like this one Salmon! It puts my thoughts into words. ..

Thanks for that, Salmon.

Amazing poem, thank you for this.

Love poem but hope only my body turns to dust and I join my loved ones in spritual new life

What an amazing poem, Salmon.

Thanks Salmon. It's brilliant.

Really nice. Thanks.

how true

You should try and publish this, its very well written.

I wish I could say I had written it but it is way beyond my literary capabilities, simply a posting from a friend of mine.

Dust if you Must was written by Mrs Rose Milligan a lady poet from Lancaster.I seem to remember it was popular about 20 years ago.

Reminds me of the story about the little boy who was always asking his parents questions.
Anyway, one day he says to his mother "...Mum, where do we come from?". His mum thinks for a moment and rather than explain about the birds & the bees she answers by saying "dust!".
The little boy says "Oh. Okay, but where do we go when we die?". The mother thinks again for a moment and answers saying "dust!". The mother then asks her son why he wants to know, and the little boy says "...well, you better come quick because I've just looked under my bed and it looks like somebody's on their way or just leaving!"