I'd rather have a little rose 
        from a garden of a friend,
than flowers strewn around my casket
        when my days on earth must end .

I'd rather have a "living smile" 
        from one I know is true,
than tears shed 'round my casket
        when this world I bid adieu .

Bring me all the flowers today
        whether yellow ... white ... or red,
I'd rather have one blossom now,
        than a room over-flowing when I am dead .

By : Larry J. Huisingh
     September 9, 1996