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Opening II
by Bruce W Niedt(for Lennie)
I.
After communion,
when all the sacraments are put away,
the meditative priest
settles into his robe,
the casket waits,
vested in white,
as velvet and wood
absorb our silence and prayers,
statues and paintings look down,
frozen in their holy moments.
In this perfectly quiet minute,
through the tinted windows,
from the boisterous playground,
we hear childrens voices,
ringing celebrations.
II.
Graveside on the windy hill,
as cemeteries are, always windy,
we huddle and mumble
our Hail Marys, Our Fathers,
and the priest closes the ribboned book.
As we form a somber queue,
carnations in hand,
to place on the silver-crossed coffin,
the grave-blanket clouds
allow a small rip, directly above,
and a blue swatch of sky,
a conduit for our departed,
a final Hello.
04/30/2002 Posted on 04/30/2002
Copyright © 2026 Bruce W Niedt
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Jeanne Marie Hoffman on 09/25/03 at 12:50 AM Two random poems in a row, both you. I like how you end with "a final Hello", because it is more fitting. I believe we say hello to our friends and loved ones much more than we say goodbye... |
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