The weather was perfect on that day

We wait in the sun, dappled light filters through the trees

A playful breeze flows around us, twining with the murmur of hushed voices

Fragile smiles crack and splinter as friends and strangers meet

 

The crowd quietens, breaths held in anticipation

She arrives, chauffeured in

Adorned in flowers, beautiful.

 

They lift her up, carry her on their shoulders

Held aloft for the gathered crowd to see

She leads us into the quiet room and silence falls as each takes their seats

 

We sit and listen as her praises are sung, her achievements remembered

She looks down on us all, her smile frozen and magnificent

Her life is flashed before our eyes in a series of snapshots

Her best moments captured and displayed for us to see.

 

You break a little more then, crack open just a little

You reach out for someone to help shore the crumbling barrier

that keeps your insides from pouring out

We say our final goodbyes and they send her to the flames

 

Take your time

Breath slow

In

Out

In

Out

 

Shaking hands clasp steady arms,

seek strength and support from the bewildered who do not know how to help

Who have no experience in this situation, whose condolences offer no comfort

You grip your inhalator in white knuckled hands

Breaths pulled from it like a lifeline

In

Out

In

Out

 

Eyes wild and lost, restless with nowhere to go

Trapped among all the others grieving

Someone hugs you and you hold on like you’re drowning

They move away and we are left to steady you

 

We lead you away and you tear apart

In the confines of our car you scream

Why?

But we cannot answer

 

Your tears flow into my lap as you moan

Your wounded animal sounds muffled against my legs

I stroke your hair and offer what little comfort I can

Your breaths pulled hard around sobs

In

Out

In

Out

And all the while screaming, shouting, deploring

Over and over the questions

Why her?

Why did it have to be her?

 

So I hold you

Remind you that you are not alone

That there are others who love you

That I love you, mum.

Reviews

[Troy Henson]

This was fantastic to read. Not only are these things hard to be a part of and many struggle with the willingness to talk about but you have done an amazing job of capturing the true prescriptive environment of this event and expressing in your writing. The imagery was great, drew me in and I almost felt like I was there.
Fantastic piece.

[Jo Todd]

Thankyou, this piece means a lot to me and it means a lot that you enjoyed it. Thankyou

[Shivam Murari]

Thats a beautifully related piece. Put together in an effective way. Nice write.

[Matt]

So beautiful and wonderfully put into words something that many of us find so impossible to do.

[Jo Todd]

Thankyou, I was worried this poem wouldn't work but you given me some confidence in it

[Luke Rawlings]

A beautiful piece as I have told you countless times, glad to see it up and ready! I see you took my suggestion for that title, too :P