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LOCKDOWN FUNERAL

After the cremation service the fresh air.

"I never forget a mask,"

I said to someone i'd never met,

an attempt at grim humour.

 

The embarrassing marquee behind us

pallbearers upright in their black masks,

so long in the waiting. 

Truth is I had felt disconnected

 

but grief can spread like ripples

from a stone cast into water

at the downcast head of one

I knew so well

burdened then bereaved,

at the bravery of reading the eulogy to Patsy his wife

fifty six years wed. 

 

◄ RAFFIA MAT

THE TOWN CLOCK ►

Comments

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raypool

Wed 2nd Dec 2020 22:28

Thanks Brian. You're welcome. Funny how a line can just come to you .A quite recent event.

Very kind, Candice.

Graham, yes we are so reliant on our other halves and dread separation. Thanks for reading.

Greg, my first public reading was at my father in law's funeral. I must admit to a sort of guilt at offering my poems to others since ; the feedback is always good for the soul though.

Thank you Paul. I try to edit and strip poems down now, and find that can be a good discipline.

Stephen, i'm glad you found it so. I like to find that point where readers can react in that way.

For the likes thanks Trevor, Branwell, Julie, Stephen, Aisha and J.D.

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Stephen Gospage

Mon 30th Nov 2020 17:11

A very moving piece, Ray.

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Greg Freeman

Mon 30th Nov 2020 09:00

Delicately written, Ray. We had a family lockdown funeral recently. Four different people read poems. It was like an open-mic, in a good way.

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Graham Sherwood

Mon 30th Nov 2020 07:53

A widower neighbour is eighty-four and has just lost his second daughter suddenly. There are no words that one can say. It is like abandonment. Us long time marrieds (50 years next year) fear losing a partner the most.

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Candice Reineke

Sun 29th Nov 2020 23:10

Poignant piece, Ray. ?

<Deleted User> (18980)

Sun 29th Nov 2020 22:55

A thoughtful piece Ray...a personal experience I feel sure.

I'll use your second line in conversation.

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