Father's coffin
lay on chairs
in the front room.
There was a sweet smell
in the air.
A single light
lit up the coffin
in the chilly space.
I gazed at him
lying there.
His hair seemed darker
not so grey.
The lines on his forehead
had gone: smooth
and waxen white.
I expected(or hoped)
he would open his eyes
and smile.
But nothing;
just that unmoved face,
eyes closed, deep peace.
I looked at the clean shaven
chin and jaw: no 5 o'clock
shadow as before.
I kissed his brow;
my young lips touched;
wanting him to wake
some how.
So much I wanted to say,
but too late to tell.
I whispered an:
I Iove you,
to the air,
hoping he would hear
some how there.
Mar 26, 2018
Mar 26, 2018 at 2:24 AM UTC
Father's coffin
lay on chairs
in the front room.
There was a sweet smell
in the air.
A single light
lit up the coffin
in the chilly space.
I gazed at him
lying there.
His hair seemed darker
not so grey.
The lines on his forehead
had gone: smooth
and waxen white.
I expected(or hoped)
he would open his eyes
and smile.
But nothing;
just that unmoved face,
eyes closed, deep peace.
I looked at the clean shaven
chin and jaw: no 5 o'clock
shadow as before.
I kissed his brow;
my young lips touched;
wanting him to wake
some how.
So much I wanted to say,
but too late to tell.
I whispered an:
I Iove you,
to the air,
hoping he would hear
some how there.
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