The End of Ernie Lowe

The End of Ernie Lowe

A Poem by David Lewis Paget

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

© 2012 David Lewis Paget


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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.

Posted 12 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.




Reviews

Okay, I had goosebumps as I read the last part. This poem is about reason versus faith. While reason requires extraodinary proof, faith is determined by accidental causes and has no necessary relation to truth.

The poem celebrates the reunion of two principles. It is coming home.

Great write as always!

Posted 12 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

What a great poem about a great man. You wrote his story well. I wonder, at the end, did this youn man return to his lost faith? Surely he could see that there is life beyond...

Posted 12 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

very nice write sir .. :-)

Posted 12 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

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As always, a very enjoyable read :)

Posted 12 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.


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Added on July 14, 2012
Last Updated on July 14, 2012
Tags: uncle, faith, Grace, dead

Author

David Lewis Paget
David Lewis Paget

Moonta, South Australia, Australia



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