A brighter mourn

Mist hangs still
in autumn air
This mourning comes,
its pain to share

With gold dead leaves
gathered round the trees
Their colour fades
like blood drained meat

As shadows cast claws long and drawn
Along the narrow chapel walls
The silent prayers
whisper their hope
As precession ambles
towards open doors

The sound of shovels,
cut and bite
As clumps of clay
on coffin thuds

With best black suits
and pill box hats
The faithful gather
in grief they stand

Expressions fall on
bleak drawn faces
The weight of sorrow
on heads held bowed

Sad tears do mingle
with hysterical cries
As priest tells of the blessed hope
And reminds us all of God’s great love

A ray of hope peeps through the clouds
As songs of praise ascends like doves
Our dear comrade lies in the mud
His body decays his soul transcends

This final chapter is not the end
Or bodies may perish our spirits live on
As new born babes in God’s kingdom

We’re born, we live, we age, we die
Like grass we wither and wonder why

His strength is shown when weak we test
As helpless babes upon the breast

This morning we contemplate our fate
As victory awaits us in our wake

Sean Benjamin.2006