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Wake
by Delilah CoyneThe distance from the entrance to the casket seems so far.
I look without seeing, trying to recognize a face that death has robbed of its familiarity.
Staring at the dead seems so invasive... so morbidly intrusive. Death is a nakedness that cannot be clothed.
With no soul left to soften the outer imperfections...
With no personality for us to gravitate toward.
Parade past a husk of previous beauty and gawk at what we will become.
A sobbing daughter, husband, son and mother.
Abandoned to their weeping, a crowded room pretends not to hear...
...not to see
...not to ache because it hurts to hear such agony.
02/21/2006 Posted on 02/21/2006
Copyright © 2024 Delilah Coyne
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Gregory O'Neill on 02/22/06 at 02:46 AM "Death is a nakedness that cannot be clothed." My, how true. This poem is full of excellent observations. It's so true, death observes no ceremony. Insightful writing. |
| Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 02/23/06 at 05:15 PM So true...excellently accurate capture. One of the best poems on the subject I've ever read. Adds to favorites. |
| Posted by Elizabeth Jill on 02/25/06 at 12:49 AM Sadly, I know this ceremony by heart. You describe it exactly. Especially the pretending part. And the distance that seems so far. § |
| Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 02/28/06 at 07:08 PM Hey Delilah. Congrats on hitting no. 1. Well deserved!!! |
| Posted by Joan Serratelli on 03/16/09 at 12:21 PM Very sad, very true. The last stanza really got to me. Good write- painful read (but worth it) |
| Posted by Kris Mara on 05/12/09 at 08:53 PM oh this puts a knot right in the center of my heart to read, it's completely true and of that moment we've all felt...you solidified it here beautifully |
| Posted by Joe Cramer on 08/22/12 at 01:24 PM ... congrats on POTD!!! |
| Posted by Christel Crews on 08/23/12 at 03:34 AM wow, is all that is left to say. you have taken a snapshot with your descriptive words, painting a picture that we are all so familiar with but could not communicate. beautiful, stunning, real, raw. |
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