That Sunday
after singing
in the choir
and changing
from the blue

and white gowns
and out
of the dim lit vestry
into the sunlight
at the back

of the church
Judith was standing
by a gravestone
reading the almost
indecipherable words

chiselled there
sad isn’t it
she said
that these people died
and are buried

and then the time comes
when you can’t read
who died or when?
you walked over
to where she was standing

and rubbed off
some of the green moss
with your hand
comes to us all
I guess

you said
when those whom we loved
or cared about die
and after we and those
who knew them are gone

there is no one left to care
who’s buried there
she looked at you
and you saw
her eyes water

and her lower lip tremble
you won’t forget me
will you? she asked
course not
you said

anyway
why are we getting
so **** morbid?
we’re alive
let’s live while we can

she walked away
from the gravestone
and stood looking
around the graves
behind the church

the sunlight
warming the stone
and her head
and you walked
next to her

and put your hand
on hers and said
I’ll never forget you
if you go before me
she smiled

and looked at you
I’ll always remember you
she said
other choir members
came out of the vestry door

and there was talk
and laughter
and Roger chased Shirley
along the path
and she looked back at him

giggling and making faces
and Judith said
some have no respect
for the dead
even in this

their resting place
human all too human  
you said
and kissed her
sun blessed face.