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Receiving Line

by Michael Anthony

It matters not what they believed,
time is short for those bereaved.
With hope somehow to be relieved
for deeds unseen but not retrieved.
It matters not if they’re reprieved
or how their motives be perceived,
for each in line will be received
in turn by those the light deceived.

03/24/2018

Author's Note: At the funeral of my former wife I sat off to the side and listened to the unflattering way they spoke about her. Our time together was long ago and most had no idea who I was. this is what came of that.

Posted on 03/24/2018
Copyright © 2024 Michael Anthony

Member Comments on this Poem
Posted by Glenn Currier on 03/27/18 at 02:36 PM

Michael, your poem could just about be read at any funeral I've ever been to. It is honest and heart-piercing. Thanks.

Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 03/27/18 at 05:50 PM

I like this Michael. Wow. Talk about the proverbial fly on the wall. A dark poem, in which the rhyme scheme only adds to that factor. Quite powerful, and my condolences, both about the loss of your ex, and that you had to listen to the gossipers, adding insult to injury. One minor quibble as per title, a good example in terms of spelling, in that e comes before i; i.e. Receiving.

Posted by Philip F De Pinto on 03/28/18 at 04:19 PM

I find it difficult to write about real life and real events in a Way which does not diverge from the real. You do it quite well and stay the realistic course and for that I commend you. Sorry for your loss.

Posted by Kristina Woodhill on 03/30/18 at 08:24 PM

I liked a lot about his poem, the several meanings I derive from the title, the consistent rhyming at the end of each line which, in this fairly short work, does not become too repetitive. Yes, talk about a fly on the wall, a weird, but certainly revealing experience for you, I'm sure. This is one that most of us will experience at some time in some form. Perhaps these "aside" eulogies give a truer picture than the speakers from the podium. Thanks for this.

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