Of Funerals

I'm weary
I don't want to go
two days to prepare
two nights to shore up
my defenses
there's nothing to bury
they've left naught but ashes
cremation - such a pretty word
when all your relationships
burned with you.
I'm not good at grief, you know...
it makes me prickly
angry
sad, anxious
empty.
I don't want to go
though at least the end-
that final goodbye
will be said to a picture
framed, on a table,
rather than to the empty husk
that once contained your soul.

Author's Note

Written rather quickly, I'll admit. Most of my writing is rather.. emotional, and intimate. A way for me to "deal" with whatever is going on in my head, my life, etc. A friend took his life this past Sunday - so that's where this is coming from. Welcome your thoughts.

Reviews

[David Benson]

I'm glad this work showed up in my "you might also like" box. I definitely like the work. I reads well and evokes emotion and images without being maudlin. Very good stuff.

My only quibble is with the words "angry/sad,anxious/empty." I think you said it well simply with the words "prickly." The latter is not a word one typically associates with death and funerals, yet the image is stark and very real. The other words, though, are common enough. Since this is an uncommon, and very good, poem - if it were me, I'd drop those four words and just keep prickly.

Very nice.

[.]

. sad, really sad ... heartbreaking and brutal ... i lost a friend once and it was excruciating ... in my mind he's still alive ... and not as a framed picture ... i so know what you mean ... beautifully expressed ...

[KAREN]

Sad! This was an heart felt write, every word was felt!

[Tommy]

Wow, you seemed to have taken my sentiments about funerals right out of my head. Death is very sad and I have a hard time dealing with the emotions it brings. I know everyone does, but for me I tend to recluse away. I have said many time that I do not want a funeral; just have me buried, and remember the good time we shared in life.

Sad Subject, however, one that we all must face at some point in our lives. Sadly, mutable times.

Very Well Written Piece!
RLG,
Tommy

[Emily B]

it's perfect!