Funerals are odd
They stir deep things
Things we seldom want to ponder
Some think on the Good Lawd
Others silently wonder, Am I ready to meet Him?
Some wish it were their time
Others record it like some kind of bizarre film
Some regret
Others lament
Some wish revenge
Others weep with fists tightly clenched
Some cry silently
Others loudly,openly beating their breast
Some look on in fear
Because death reminds us
She is always ever so near
Some reminisce
Others look on in shame
Some are quick to dismiss
Anything dark they might be feeling
Instead of embracing and accepting
Some are in shock
Being eaten alive by the sudden trauma
Refusing to play their own role in the unfolding drama
At funerals every single person plays a role
It is the most alive time some people will ever dare be
The starring role usually goes to
The grieving,closest relatives of the dearly departed
That is where all the attention is focused
While the rest of us grieve with the broken hearted.
The minister’s role is perplexing
I’d not want to be in his shoes,pants or suit
He’s given the charge:
Bring in the peace
Say words to keep everyone calm
Speak as if you knew the newly dearly departed
Help out the family who is terribly broken hearted
The minister plays several roles:
He’s a play write-makes sure his words are good and tight
No room for loose,sloppy writing
Or wandering,meandering words
That will make others feel unsure
No ambiguity, otherwise people will feel insecure
On him rests a heavy burden
AT death’s hour
No one likes feeling uncertain
So he’d better deliver by golly
Or people will feel he’s a fake
One slip of his pen
And they may burn him at the stake
In a funeral,even a stranger
has a role to play
People crash weddings all the time
Ever crashed a funeral?
That stranger sure did
That stranger was me
I was not personally known to the newly dearly departed
Certainly not a stranger to death,though.
Death is my old friend
She’s hung out with me through out my whole life
She first came and took mi mama
I was a tiny wee lil babe
Then she came for mi papi
I was just 2
She used to scare me for a very long time
Then one day I grew up
And learned she was no foe of mine
I’ve been to more funerals
Than I’ve been to weddings.
Weddings: Such fun,joyous,happy affairs
Funerals: Just completely the opposite
As they ought to be so
But we get selfish at funerals
Let’s face it folks:
We turn inward and think of ourselves
We think on our lives
We certainly hope our children will out live us
And not the other way around
At funerals: “What about me”
Is always clearly visible
On everyone’s face
Funerals remind us how short our time really is
Funerals remind us of our place
So if you’re feeling glum about life
Go to a funeral
By the wayside falls everything trivial
That’s where you know what’s real.
Eva Santiago copyright 2013
Eva Santiago 