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Open Poetry #18
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sodpossom
Senior Member
since 2001-06-15
Posts 723
N.C

0 posted 2002-01-24 09:06 PM


Draped in elegance and fine lace
with a comfortable satin pillow case
Visitors acknowledge my familiar look
their names fill my very own guest book

Floral arrangements casting shadows
as the organ music bellows
Memories running through my head
Oh my!I think I woke up dead

© Copyright 2002 Stevie Houston - All Rights Reserved
RosePetal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2001-08-26
Posts 2985
South Florida
1 posted 2002-01-24 09:09 PM


I've only been to a funeral parlor once when my gramma died. God rest her soul!
Your discriptions are perfect

RP

sodpossom
Senior Member
since 2001-06-15
Posts 723
N.C
2 posted 2002-01-24 09:13 PM


Rose Petal

Not one of my favorite places.Everybody saying he looks good don't he,he looks just like hisself.My question is,who in the hell are they suppose to look like.Thanks for reading!

ecrivan
Member Elite
since 2001-12-10
Posts 3923
my own state
3 posted 2002-01-24 09:14 PM


I see this a poetic projection on your part, what would it be like if we could see ourselves lying in state...well, we all have to get to an end of this physical state and then?Nicely put Stevie


sodpossom
Senior Member
since 2001-06-15
Posts 723
N.C
4 posted 2002-01-24 09:18 PM


Martin

I've often wonder that very same thing.Thanks for reading buddy!

Startime
Member Ascendant
since 2000-10-03
Posts 5918
Canada
5 posted 2002-01-24 09:30 PM


mmmmmmm okay...this is very good writing but no way do I want to wake up dead...*giggling* I think I will skip the viewing and get cremated...**big hugs**

Love I leave with you whether it is in your life now or yet the essense of your dreams.

strbbux
Member Elite
since 2001-12-19
Posts 3859

6 posted 2002-01-24 09:31 PM


The last line was my favorite. floria

Floria

"Alas for those that never sing,
But die with all their music in them"
(Oliver Wendell Holmes)

Mistletoe Angel
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Empyrean
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon
7 posted 2002-01-24 09:32 PM




(sigh) Such a powerfully expressive piece, sweet friend, I too would rather be cremated but I understand what you feel! (big hugggssssss) We all love you so much, sweet friend, this is wonderful! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Stevie, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
8 posted 2002-01-24 09:34 PM


I'm with Karen!  I don't want a bunch of people standing around saying how good I look when I really just look dead!
This is a good write with lots to ponder.
~Hugs, Nancy~

~Time has cast a spell on you,
  So you won't ever forget me~

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
9 posted 2002-01-25 01:25 AM


Stevie...I really liked your poem because it was very thought provoking.
In the Jewish religion, we leave the casket closed so that the person will be remembered as he/she was in life...not in death.
Speaking of waking up dead...I told David that if I die first...I want holes punched in the top of my coffin ....like you would punch holes in the top of a jar if you catch a grasshopper in it....so I will be able to breathe after I'm buried.  I would be terrified of getting cremated because I think it would really hurt bad to be burned like that.

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

C?
Member
since 2001-12-29
Posts 190

10 posted 2002-01-25 01:50 AM


woah!! this was cool!!!
Dark Stranger
Member Patricius
since 2001-03-19
Posts 13631
West Coast
11 posted 2002-01-25 10:20 AM


cool stuff guy...
I look in the obits everday
to see if I am still around


Victoria
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Ascendant
since 2000-08-12
Posts 5869

12 posted 2002-01-25 10:23 AM


i hope i never have this dream..ha..glad you woke up

                  ~Vic

You can complain because roses have thorns, or you can rejoice because thorns have roses.

                                                -Ziggy

Canuckster
Member
since 2002-01-09
Posts 285
New Mexico, USA
13 posted 2002-01-25 10:26 AM


Final Word

shell shed
family gathers
friends arrive

Conversation

solemnity descends
service begins
casket closes

He never liked funerals anyway

a song
a homily
a prayer

Eulogy, tribute, tears

a life summarized
love of family
sense of humor

Dignity conferred upon a shell which last week

lost bladder control
suffered bed sores
forgot his name

Funerals are for the living

homage to the dead
knowing nod to God
a reminder once again

Eulogies lived speak louder than euphemisms

Casket open
Final goodbye
Funeral dies

We bury our past with his

© 2000 Bart Breen

never try to teach a pig to sing
it wastes your time AND annoys the pig

NewEnglandlazurlu
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-01-04
Posts 7470
A Mountain Paradise
14 posted 2002-01-25 11:18 AM


I worked for years in a funeral home as a greeter. I could almost smell the lilies! Your poem is great!  Marti
His Poet
Senior Member
since 2001-12-18
Posts 750

15 posted 2002-01-25 11:32 AM


Stevie, You must have dying on your mind recently with your grave city post and now this. I liked this and it made me smile. Hope that doesn't make me a sicko. Cheryl
N orth Carolina Girl
Senior Member
since 2001-12-04
Posts 962
NC,USA
16 posted 2002-01-25 11:42 AM


Stevie,I couldn`t agree more about what you said about everyone walking by and saying they look just like themself.I had a dream one time about grandma Sybil.I dreamed she sat up in the coffin and told us she wasn`t dead.Interesting and depressing poem.




Love,Mama


Duncan
Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455

17 posted 2002-01-25 11:44 AM


Must admit, I had a chuckle at this, also.  But then, I too check the obits everyday after getting a paper at work, cause if I'm dead I'll be damned if I'm staying.
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
18 posted 2002-01-25 12:10 PM


Being a florist...I see caskets much too often...usually floating in the tears of loved ones left behind.  This was an interesting poem.
Marsha
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423
Maidstone Kent England
19 posted 2002-01-25 01:45 PM


Stevie darling boy, Truly exceptional poem, as always your writing is wonderful utterly utterly wonderful.

But as for you waking up dead darling boy, I could try to wake you up? Or do you think it wouldn’t work? Mmmmm,

It’s okay Stevie I cleared it with your Mama, she said I could borrow you for a week or so. Honestly would I lie to you? Okay, it’s true I would. drat and double drat, ohhhhhhh one day Stevie darling boy one day.

Absolutely wonderful writing you’ve done really well with this one.


Love and warm stuff
As always
Mushy

To give light to them that sit in darkness..... to guide our feet into the way of peace St John ch2 v1


Pilgrimage
Member Elite
since 2001-12-04
Posts 3945
Texas, USA
20 posted 2002-01-25 03:32 PM


Dear sp,
Gaaahh! Don't do that! Now I'm going to have nightmares. I know, it's well-written and cool and everything, but if you'd read as much Edgar Allen Poe as I did growing up, not to mention H P Lovecraft, you wouldn't laugh.

Nan

Larry C
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286
United States
21 posted 2002-01-26 01:24 AM


ROFL...Sodpossum,
I hate it when that happens! Too dang funny. I've always loved that line. Great write.

Chrissy
Member
since 2002-01-24
Posts 81
Idaho, no I am not a farmer!
22 posted 2002-01-26 06:38 AM


okay....so, I havent laughed this hard in the longest time!  That was great.  My grandma just died, and we were joking around about her waking up like whole time we were there.  Thanks for the uplift.  

Chrissy  

Kethry
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082
Victoria Australia
23 posted 2002-01-26 07:35 AM


Hey Stevie,
I used to threaten my kids with that... If you don't behave one day you're going to wake up and find yourself dead and then where will you be? Isn't it funny the things mothers say almost as funny as this poem.
Keth

Here in the midst of my lonely abyss, a single joy I find...your presence in my mind.  Unknown



Corinne
Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167
state of confusion
24 posted 2002-01-26 02:47 PM


This had me chuckling.

Humor about death:  good!


Cor

BluesSerenade
Member Patricius
since 2001-10-23
Posts 10549
By the Seaside
25 posted 2002-01-26 02:54 PM


You make it sound like a nice place,
but it's just not my kind of music..

Kinda cute!!

Silver Streak
Member Elite
since 2002-01-02
Posts 3625
FL, USA
26 posted 2002-01-26 03:39 PM


Kind of an oxymoron, waking up dead. But it is a cool play on death. Or warm play on cold death.
-newell

Sharing God's Love through perfectlovepoetry.com

Copyright: 2002 Newell Elsworth Usher

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