Dave Ruka's Answer

Which bird will eat me
When I am gone?
Who can transmute the poison
That has stolen my song?
Could it be raven, vulture or hawk?
Or will the stink of tainted meat
Cause the feathered ones to balk?
And take wing from this deceit?
Then alone I must die
With no atonement in view.
Even the phoenix avoids the pyre
And speaks not what must be true.

In those last waning moments
Trembling hands reach out for love.
Hark! Outside the hospice window,
The mourning of the dove.