A Final Goodbye

Her funeral day came; friends and family were there
All through the service I cried, I just did not care
The flowers on her white coffin were beautiful to see
And that has always stayed with me in my memory. 






(Taken from 'My Only Valentine'
Written on 14 February 2018.)
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

12
Gauthier Avatar
May 6, 2020 at 1:03 PM
Very touching, Tom.
Cunningham Avatar
May 6, 2020 at 1:19 PM
Thanks Line, always hard saying goodbye for the last time. Tom
Proxenos Avatar
March 22, 2020 at 12:20 PM
Are we prepared for a last goodbye, nope, living is beautiful, but it is not up to us. Tom this is a very sad poem but penned beautifully. Good luck in the contest. Look after yourselves, be cautious and safe!, blessings, Jennifer
Cunningham Avatar
March 22, 2020 at 12:42 PM
Thanks Jennifer, just watching a statement from our government on tv. Such a dark situation we are all in. Stay safe. Tom
Adams Avatar
March 17, 2020 at 6:23 PM
I sigh relief, as I thought it was another poet leaving the site and was delighted to see you weren't leaving... good choice, it makes a statement... hugs
Cunningham Avatar
March 22, 2020 at 12:40 PM
Thank you Sandra, the poem is about a wife who died young and the fact valentines day is dreaded by many who have lost soul mates. Tom
Zola-Zaba Avatar
March 13, 2020 at 5:39 AM
The last goodbye has always been the heaviest to say because it's one that we can never be prepared for. Well written melancholic piece Tom, it hits deep.
Cunningham Avatar
March 13, 2020 at 7:02 AM
Thank you very much Rercy, yes it's the point where we fully realise they have gone to rest and it hits us. Tom
Marcum Wong Avatar
March 12, 2020 at 5:26 PM
Wow Tom, you chose a beautiful and touching stanza for your entry that is sure to stir Greg's heart. It touched mine. xxoo
Cunningham Avatar
March 12, 2020 at 5:49 PM
Thank you Connie, those images stay with you forever. Tom
Lamoureux Avatar
March 12, 2020 at 10:49 AM
Yes, it is indeed surreal. The older we get the more losses we endure. Being a Christian, I have the comfort of knowing that I have not said a final goodbye.
Cunningham Avatar
March 12, 2020 at 2:22 PM
Thank you Richard, well said, I'm with you on that one. Tom.
May Avatar
March 12, 2020 at 9:15 AM
A poignant write Tom..
Cunningham Avatar
March 12, 2020 at 2:21 PM
Thank you very much Joseph. Tom
Somadas Avatar
March 12, 2020 at 12:17 AM
Simple but powerful description of a funeral.. Great entry in the contest Tom.. Good luck..
Cunningham Avatar
March 12, 2020 at 12:47 AM
Thank you Jenish. Hope you're well. Tom
Sands Avatar
March 11, 2020 at 1:39 PM
A powerful poem. So well expressed Tom :)
Cunningham Avatar
March 11, 2020 at 3:00 PM
Thank you Heidi, memories like that stay with you. Tom
Andresen Avatar
March 11, 2020 at 9:37 AM
- ..... I'd rather say: Until we meet again ... - Beautiful and deeply moving, Tom - Good luck in the contest :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Cunningham Avatar
March 11, 2020 at 11:09 AM
Thanks Anne, that's good advice, but they live on In your heart and memories. Tom
Lamoureux Avatar
March 11, 2020 at 9:04 AM
A sad one. You never know what images will stay with you.
Cunningham Avatar
March 11, 2020 at 11:08 AM
Thanks Richard, when it's someone really close it's all very surreal I found Tom
Horsman Avatar
March 11, 2020 at 1:58 AM
One stand alone poem, that need further investigating, love this, so off i go, see you there Tom.
Cunningham Avatar
March 11, 2020 at 6:28 AM
Thank you very much Harry. Tom
Ashley Avatar
March 10, 2020 at 8:25 PM
Tom, your poem's poignant beauty touches the depths of my heart. Grief, expressed so soulfully in a last good-bye. Powerful emotions spill from your potent pen, my friend. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan
Cunningham Avatar
March 11, 2020 at 6:27 AM
Thank you you very much Susan, its such an emotional time for those left behind. Tom
Mcconnell Avatar
March 10, 2020 at 11:35 AM
A lovely piece well-penned Tom, in a sad place even though it was fictional. Blessings, Gordon
Cunningham Avatar
March 10, 2020 at 1:03 PM
Thank you Gordon, I always find that the worst to cope with when a loved one passes. Tom
Laurie Avatar
March 9, 2020 at 7:36 PM
Hello Tom ... I guess holding on to fine memories shows a love and respect that never dies - thanks Tom - Lindsay
Cunningham Avatar
March 10, 2020 at 3:35 AM
Thanks Lindsay, it's the last time you'll see them in a sense. Tom
Dietrich Avatar
March 9, 2020 at 7:00 PM
you chose a very good stanza to use as a stand-alone poem, Tom. I really like this.
Cunningham Avatar
March 10, 2020 at 3:34 AM
Thank you Andrea, the coffin is always the first thing you look at when you go into the church. Tom
Romios Avatar
March 9, 2020 at 12:44 PM
A lovely write from a most loving soul. Crossing my fingers for a win in this contest.. Panagiota xx
Cunningham Avatar
March 9, 2020 at 1:13 PM
Thank you Panagiota, I don't think there is many on here who hasn't 't been in that situation. Saying goodbye to a loved one. Tom
Rodrigues Avatar
March 9, 2020 at 12:34 PM
Something about the purity of white. I saw my uncle after he died...the hospital walls were white, the floor, his gown...it just seemed so ethereal. Sorry for your loss. A beautiful write.
Cunningham Avatar
March 9, 2020 at 1:11 PM
Thank you Kim, I agree, white you would associate with angels and the heavens, it was from my poem, my only valentine, it was a fictional write. Tom
Callus Avatar
March 9, 2020 at 12:02 PM
Beautiful and so touching, Tom. While reading, I was there standing next to you! Regards // paul
Cunningham Avatar
March 9, 2020 at 1:03 PM
Thank you Paul, it's so final when you see the coffin in the church.. Hope your well. Tom
Adams Avatar
March 9, 2020 at 5:19 AM
You took me to the scene. Funeral images always stay with us ... best wishes in the contest. Hugs
Cunningham Avatar
March 9, 2020 at 5:43 AM
Thank you Sandra, those scenes stay with us for ever. Hope you're well. Tom
Roper Avatar
March 8, 2020 at 7:28 PM
Perfect insert, Tom, for the contest. Good luck.
Cunningham Avatar
March 8, 2020 at 7:42 PM
Thank you very much Eve. Tom
Allison Avatar
March 8, 2020 at 9:13 AM
such emotion n just a few lines Tom:-) I am posting a poem about a funeral too:-) hugs Jan xx
Cunningham Avatar
March 8, 2020 at 12:10 PM
They do affect us, when we actually lose them or at the actual funeral. I read a long poem at my dad's funeral and don't know how but I held it together. Tom
Pandit Avatar
March 8, 2020 at 8:00 AM
A powerful, emotive write, inspired by tender loving memories--beautifully done, Tom.
Cunningham Avatar
March 8, 2020 at 8:07 AM
Thanks very much Vijay, Tom
One Avatar
March 8, 2020 at 6:43 AM
Fitting for the contest, only a few lines, but you put emotions into it...
Cunningham Avatar
March 8, 2020 at 7:11 AM
Thanks S. O. It's always the worst when a loved one passes, it's so final. Tom
Trifiatis Avatar
March 8, 2020 at 6:13 AM
Powerful moving poem that shakes the core of one's being dear, Tom!
Cunningham Avatar
March 8, 2020 at 6:33 AM
Thank you Demetrios, sadly a situation many of us have experienced. Tom
12
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace