Give me your meanest coins
A pair of the lowest denomination
That I may keep them in the folds of my cloak
With the drops of mead that remain in my flask
The rinds of cheese and heels of bread
Souvenirs of my final supper on this plane
When you have seen it is my time
Take them from my purse
And place them upon my eyes
That I might reach for them in the dark of night
If I am allowed to pray
I will beg all gods in every heaven
To make them shine like suns
In the hollows of my skull
That their faithful light may guide
My soul across the river
To the place where I will know only fitful rest
Until you send your dreams
To lead me home

Marianne Tefft is a poet and voice-over reader who daylights as a Montessori teacher in Toronto, Canada. Her poems and short stories have appeared in print, online and on air in North America, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean. She is the author of Full Moon Fire: Spoken Songs of Love and Moonchild: Poems for Moon Lovers.