Saturday, March 19, 2016

18: Hallowed ground...

This slice is a follow-up to 16: Around the Table...Again:


We stood outside this morning
on a tiny postage stamp patch of wintry grass
underneath a tiny canopy
made vibrantly blue by the colorless sky
black overcoats, suits, dresses, tights, boots
packed in by family
behind the two rows of felt-covered folding chairs
that lined his golden oak casket

I caught my eyes darting between headstones
close enough to read
WULLIMAN
Harry and Elmira
were just beyond
FLUECKIGER
Robert and Marilyn

To the left there was one darker stone
almost covered by the throng of mourners
I could only make out the last three letters 
yet the tears welled up
and rolled down, down
my fingertips straightened
and pushed my pockets' seams
to stifle the smallish gasp 
because I knew
just like that
where we were standing

MC KEAN
Gorman and Lorraine

the hallowed ground 
where my grandparents
rested

I remembered them, too


Write on,
b

5 comments:

  1. I am thinking that your writing brings incredibly vivid images to my mind. And I feel the tears roll.
    xo
    Pamela

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am thinking that your writing brings incredibly vivid images to my mind. And I feel the tears roll.
    xo
    Pamela

    ReplyDelete
  3. So sorry for your loss, b. Beautiful words for a solemn moment.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beautiful use of images and word choices. Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  5. such an amazing use of font and line space. What a beautiful account of a small moment.

    ReplyDelete

Hi! I'd love to hear what you are thinking right now, so please take a sec and drop me a line. I'm so glad you stopped by today -- thanks a billion. :)