The End of Ernie Lowe

The rain dripped down on my overcoat

As I walked beneath the trees,

An avenue filled with poplars, grim,

And dark, with an icy breeze,

I’d walked this way a million times

As a child, and a younger man,

But this could well be the final time

As I went to hold his hand!

 

I’d always called him Uncle Ern

From a time that I don’t know when,

He’d carried me on his shoulders since

I was just a squalling bairn,

He’d kicked a ball in the park with me,

Was there to fly a kite,

But now that big, old generous man

Had come to his own midnight!

 

Ern was the one to church me, he’d

Done more than my parents would,

He took me along to evensong

And sang, as best as he could,

He had a rumbling baritone

That rattled the wooden pews,

And smiled at me in the choir there

As the vicar collected the dues.

 

I grew at length, but I sought him out

Whenever I’d need advice,

He’d say: ‘I’ll give you a tip or two,

But I’m not going to tell you twice!’

Then he’d laugh, a raucous, bubbling sound

That would put my fears to rest,

And we’d share a pint at the ‘King and Crown’,

And I knew I was more than blessed.

 

But life went on and I lost my faith

In the light of discovery,

For science placed the world of the Lord

Beyond recovery,

Though I never said a word to him,

For his faith was strong and sure,

And I would do nothing to hurt him now

That his years came up, four score!

 

I rapped on the wooden panels of

The door with the painted shell,

And shortly a nurse had let me in,

She muttered: ‘It’s just as well!

He’s called for you for an hour or so,

There won’t be too long to wait,

The cancer’s eating his very heart

And his mind’s in a terrible state.’

 

He lay, propped up on a pillow there,

I felt a tear at my eye,

He waved his hand: ‘Don’t worry lad,

I don’t want to see you cry!

This is only the first goodbye,

I’ll see you again, no fear,

When your time is up from this empty cup

I’ll be waiting for you, there!’

 

I thought: ‘You’re fooling yourself, old man!’

But stood, and I bit my tongue,

All that we face is the darkness once

This life that we know has gone!

But he seemed happy, and mentioned Grace,

His wife of so long ago,

‘I’d forgo heaven to see her face,

I would,’ said Ernie Lowe.

 

I shook my head; she’d been gone so long

That I’d never seen her face,

But here in his final moments, all

Of his thoughts had turned to Grace.

Then like some shadowed and ghostly form

A woman was there, at his bed,

Who whispered: ‘Ernie, it’s time to go!’

…..When I looked again, he was dead!

 

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[cynthiabuhainbaello]

As I have stated in the previous review on this poem, NDE or Near Death Experiences have been recorded and documented, proving that the person dying is "met" by those who have passed away and they manifest in many ways (see-though manifestations, scents of flowers, or flying butterflies). I have recently experienced first hand this unique mystery when my friend "died" for few minutes at the hospital and her body took on the "rigor mortis" state. She was revived after ten minutes, and her recollection of the "passing" was truly vivid and exact. Faith sees beyond what cannot be seen, we feel those who passed away (around us) but Reason denies it -until the manifestation testifies - there is life after this. Great thought-provoking poem on a subject that is now fully documented and revealed as true.

[TL Boehm]

Even though you are technically brilliant and often a rhyme tends to lighten up the atmosphere in a poem - there is a palpable melancholy in this piece. It is a reminder we all will hear that whisper that it is time to go.

[minisla]

Very enjoyable read only wish i could write the stuff as well as you

[w]

I would have loved to have read this from a different perspective, BUT it is a wonderful piece. Not anything that I would change right off.

[BlackRose]

What a nice poem dealing with the relationship with uncle and the child. It was sad at the end though. Once again a true poet at best.

[A Jainam Mehta]

wonderful

[MoriartyMesa]

I am honestly speechless.

[Fréyjä Helv..]

The last stanza gave me goosebumps as well... But a pleasure to read indeed. Death comes to us all. And memories are but the remaining treasures we have of someone who had passed. Beautiful poem...

[Tate Morgan]

I have become accustomed to reading excellence in your works. I was not disappointed.The tales you tell ring familiar as I see a bit of my own life in them. Perhaps that is what i find so intriguing. We all want to believe in the afterlife. For our great friends who at least to me are older than myself.I wish the same. Sometimes it is a comfort to imagine something better for us there. But I wonder would a man be better off to be simple and happy or complicated and contrary. The problem with intelligence is simple. It tells you with an inner voice just how little you truly know. i cannot answer the questions of the afterlife.However for now I worry more about life here as it is. it seems a shame to imagine we will be re-payed ten fold in death for our sufferings in life.A fair deal would repay us here not there. Your works are without a doubt the best i have ever seen.I say that because it doesnt matter which of your works i read.I have to finish any I start.

[MOON]

Great poignant write something's require faith sometimes reason and science don't explain