A big church, in a small hamlet,
Filled almost to capacity---
The pastor commented.
A celebration of life
projected on the wall,
Photos
Of moments in a long life
Cut short.
Amen
and Hallelujah!!!
they celebrated the last nine
Years of life.
little or no
mention
Of the fuller life that filled that
out-of-the-way
Church
in the woods.
The rain fell
on the sunny day.
The birds
accompanied
God's faithful daughter home.
And WE
said our farewells........
I like the mystery of this, the sense it gives of a much bigger story of this woman's life and of the way of her death, the mix of optimism and sadness.
ReplyDeletenicely done up to the end of it..
ReplyDeleteJJRod'z
sad to just have ended a funeral,
ReplyDeleteAmen,
lovely magpie.
Poignant and beautiful...
ReplyDeleteSome are afraid of funerals. I am not. I am happy that so many attended, and confused why more of her was not celebrated. However, I know what churches are like, sure enough. You may have written a story, and yet I seem to want to take this one rather literally. I like it that you compel me into a part of the real world.
ReplyDeletetime to move on,
ReplyDeletelovely story told with a beautiful goodbye.
Most funerals, like this one, leave me wanting to say all the things left unsaid.
ReplyDeleteI guess this poem expresses a personal loss. It has that feeling, despite the Hallelujah and the Amen.
ReplyDeleteit feels so sad - so unfulfilled - beautiful
ReplyDeleteAh, but you'll see her again. Believe it.
ReplyDeleteIt's like I just picked up a book and started reading a random page, I want to know more!:)
ReplyDelete"in a long life cut short" — there is something very personal there, either to you, or to me.
ReplyDeleteVery well done.
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel
A read that tugs at the heart strings. We should say our farewells - it's supposed to bring closure. In no way to forget - simply closure.
ReplyDeleteI like the detachment of the speaker towards the event. Sadly, it happens sometimes.
ReplyDeleteTugs at the heart strings indeed.
ReplyDeleteFarewells are often sad yet at times can be a joyous release (to those who enter different plains).
Anna :o]
So many layers to this..sadness and hope..truly felt!
ReplyDeletefunerals are always such a hodgepodge of emotion...i hope her trip home is smooth in accompaniment of the rain...and that it sooths those left behind...
ReplyDeleteNever an easy task ... saying goodbye. Your Magpie poem is heartfelt and lovely.
ReplyDeletePowerful and poignant - it brings a catch to the breath.
ReplyDeleteGoodbyes never come easy...
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Arnab Majumdar on SribbleFest.com
wow, great emotion here, intrigues me to want to know more about the deceased...
ReplyDeleteThat was an inviting piece, leaving this reader with many questions. Beautifully written.
ReplyDeleteintrigued by " little or no mention of the fuller life that filled that out-of-the-way Church in the woods". The rest is comforting, actually.
ReplyDeleteWell-crafted Magpie and an excellent take on the prompt.
ReplyDeleteLovely poem without telling us everything.
ReplyDeleteI have been a year since there was no memorial, no funeral, for one I loved. As sad as funerals are (and you capture it so well) sadder yet is there not being one. No ceremony at passing away and a chance to say our farewells.
ReplyDeleteVery nice poem.
Simply touching. Life and its farewells vary greatly. Long or short, they're never easy.
ReplyDeletelove !
ReplyDelete