The World's Applause

the world's applause you tell be your request
further more to ask just this of the dead;
one question before their time had ended
did you really believe in God like you defended?

talk of tattoos ensues talk of your life's statement
and your dying thought when sprawled on the pavement
post flaming automobile wreck thrown you astray
before your time- body or mind not yet meant to give way

fear of death besets you less than people's retention
of your memory, see being forgotten has too high a cost to mention