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Graveside

by Quentin S Clingerman

I sat with the mourners
Behind me was my wife's gravesite
In front of me a new grave
Her sister's

A solemn, sad occasion
But in the songs and message
Great hope
For there is a Saviour

In Him there is Eternal Life
For those who trust and believe

We sat with the ashes in a lovely urn
Which would be buried after we were gone
A little over twenty years ago
Close family circled my wife's burial spot
We held hands and sang "Amazing Grace"

I lowered the urn into the grave
It may well be the sisters are greeting each other
In Heaven


Graveside (c)2014 Quentin Clignerman

09/01/2014

Author's Note: It has been quite a time. Two weeks ago I attended a grandson's wedding in Massachusetts. The following week the funeral service of the sister-in-law in Delaware. And this past Saturday a graveside service for her here in Maryland.

Posted on 09/01/2014
Copyright © 2024 Quentin S Clingerman

Member Comments on this Poem
Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 09/01/14 at 04:06 PM

My congratulations and condolences Quentin. Nicely expressed and explained.

Posted by Clara Mae Gregory on 09/01/14 at 05:07 PM

My condolences to you,Quentin, on both occasions.Thank you for this poem.It is a wonderful poem expressing our reality of life and death with the comforting reminder of our Father's love and gift of eternal salvation.May all your days be blessed.XO

Posted by Kristina Woodhill on 09/01/14 at 08:48 PM

I'm sorry for the loss of your sister-in-law, Quentin, and happy to hear of another family member getting married. That first stanza gives a sense of place and history which I like. You have a calm way of expressing grief and faith in your poems. Thanks for this.

Posted by Alison McKenzie on 09/01/14 at 09:04 PM

Life is that amazing mix of celebrations, loss, and moving on. Well stated here, Q. Love.

Posted by Philip F De Pinto on 09/14/14 at 04:13 PM

despite the sad occasion, Quentin, you ode is incredibly beautiful and moving.

Posted by Laura Doom on 11/02/14 at 01:10 PM

Birth, life and death are, as you have illustrated here, inextricably linked. Perhaps the essence of the Author's Note would make an admirable pro/epilogue for this poem?

Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 12/27/19 at 01:39 PM

Thanks Vince for posting this as POTD. A fine tribute to Quentin...he himself passed away sometime in 2017.

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