A morsel of fresh earth upon the lips of the dead Which stimulates and yet eludes my fear Is placed with care and comfort as I occupy this bed And everything around is far and near I'm earnest in disease I celebrate my needs You're seeking to assist In things that will be noticed Mistakes are made that life is what I should be reaching for Such thoughts dissolve into the earth But earth and dirt and soil and soil alike may share rapport And illness and its stillness give me birth I'm earnest in disease I celebrate my needs You're seeking to make clear The things that bring me fear As pleasant as the blood which springs from unattended wounds Your words revive my needs as I unfold My body out upon the slab with such a graceful swoon To still my beating heart, to make it bold I'm earnest in disease I celebrate my needs You're seeking to assist In things that will be noticed The earth, I feel it surge and swell itself without these walls And find my body lying in the garden And further still, into the earth, but back there in the hall You move and movements always are forgotten I'm earnest in disease I celebrate my needs You're seeking to make clear The things that bring me fear