How sweet the dead are now they’ve stopped
sleeping around and wanting royalties and fame.
How dear the dead are now that they’ve given up
drinking so much and opening the door in their underpants.
How unvexing the dead are now that they pay their way
and only come when invited.
Next time you visit, remind me to play you
a few cuts from my boxed set of the dead.
Such a sweet sound, this turning round in graves.
FINUALA DOWLING