Simplify Me When I'm Dead

Remember me when I am dead and simplify me when I'm dead. As the processes of earth strip off the colour of the skin: take the brown hair and blue eye and leave me simpler than at birth, when hairless I came howling in as the moon entered the cold sky. Of my skeleton perhaps, so stripped, a learned man will say "He was of such a type and intelligence," no more. Thus when in a year collapse particular memories, you may deduce, from the long pain I bore the opinions I held, who was my foe and what I left, even my appearance but incidents will be no guide. Time's wrong-way telescope will show a minute man ten years hence and by distance simplified. Through that lens see if I seem substance or nothing: of the world deserving mention or charitable oblivion, not by momentary spleen or love into decision hurled, leisurely arrive at an opinion. Remember me when I am dead and simplify me when I'm dead.