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Open Poetry #48
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At the Gravesite
| Open Poetry #48 |
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At the Gravesite |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana 
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colder'n blue blazes preacher standing ramrod straight mouth so cold lips turning blue mouthing verses mouthing verses nobody hears after he speaks them and words pass his mouth only to shatter in the cold, graveyard cold I'm dressed warm not warm enough to stop chattering teeth shivering not all from the wintry blast no their eyes looking at me instead of the preacher even the preacher presented me with a glacial sneer before he started mouthing verses no one hears not supposed to be here I don't care Hungry panther couldn't keep me away I loved her More than anyone did even her husband especially him preacher stopped mouthing silence two strangers walked to flag-draped coffin took it stood in front of the husband she was a veteran folding the flag to precise specifications every fold means something so I've been told the two armed service guys presented the flag to the husband everyone stood whispered among themselves hate-filled eyes darting toward me I remained sitting not part of the ritual would not pretend I was they all left eventually only I remained two men showed up to fill the grave I held up a hand They stepped back I rose and walked toward where she lay knelt at the foot of it tried to speak couldn't tried to pray I couldn't do that either one of the grave men coughed I got up wiped at the tears I left leaving my heart in the bottom of that hole ~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~ [This message has been edited by JerryPat2 (06-21-2013 09:39 AM).] |
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| © Copyright 2013 Jerry Pat Bolton - All Rights Reserved | |||
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MICHELMAS Member
since 2012-02-15
Posts 305Lancashire England |
your heart would hold all the prayers, no need for spoken words. Michael |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Ahh . . . You are so right, Michael, thank you for stopping by. ~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~ |
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EmmaRose Senior Member
since 2011-03-02
Posts 1376Midwest |
one of life's very truthful sobering moments, which you seemed to have mastered with grace |
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Lori Grosser Rhoden Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202Fair to middlin' of nowhere |
Excellent Jerry! You can wrench a heart like no one else. Lori  |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Appreciate you thoughtful comments, Emma. ~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~ |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Thanks, Lori, I so thank you for saying that, because I think you are the master at wrenching hearts, so your comment is doubly wonderful. ~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~ |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
I have never understood people holding animosity toward others at funerals... though I have witnessed it and felt it many times over now. If the deceased shared enough with you in life that you felt the need to be at their funeral, well it don't matter what anyone else thinks now does it? Proud of you Jer, for taking the stand and holding your peace as you did it. Michael |
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Honeybunch Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115South Africa |
Very sad, Jerry. I don't want my ex to even know I'm dead let alone come to my funeral. Sort of think that if he didn't have a heart in life then not in death either - mine or his. Perhaps death wipes out the past. One can only hope so. |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Thank you Michael. I guess it is human nature to hold animosity within our hearts. Still, funerals should be without rancor. Thanks for being here. ~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~ |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Still, Helen, funerals are held as a measure of respect. It is a tough call either way I'm well aware that it is. ~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~ |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Fine writing...James |
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