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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.)

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Line Gauthier

Date: 5/6/2020 1:03:00 PM

Very touching, Tom.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/6/2020 1:19:00 PM

Thanks Line, always hard saying goodbye for the last time. Tom

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 3/22/2020 12:20:00 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

Tom Cunningham
Date: 3/22/2020 12:42:00 PM

Thanks Jennifer, just watching a statement from our government on tv. Such a dark situation we are all in. Stay safe. Tom

Sandra Adams

Date: 3/17/2020 6:23:00 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

Tom Cunningham
Date: 3/22/2020 12:40:00 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

Rercy Zola-Zaba

Date: 3/13/2020 5:39:00 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.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 3/13/2020 7:02:00 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

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 3/12/2020 5:26:00 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

Tom Cunningham
Date: 3/12/2020 5:49:00 PM

Thank you Connie, those images stay with you forever. Tom

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 3/12/2020 10:49:00 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.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 3/12/2020 2:22:00 PM

Thank you Richard, well said, I'm with you on that one. Tom.

Joseph May

Date: 3/12/2020 9:15:00 AM

A poignant write Tom..

Tom Cunningham
Date: 3/12/2020 2:21:00 PM

Thank you very much Joseph. Tom

Jenish Somadas

Date: 3/12/2020 12:17:00 AM

Simple but powerful description of a funeral.. Great entry in the contest Tom.. Good luck..

Tom Cunningham
Date: 3/12/2020 12:47:00 AM

Thank you Jenish. Hope you're well. Tom

Heidi Sands

Date: 3/11/2020 1:39:00 PM

A powerful poem. So well expressed Tom :)

Tom Cunningham
Date: 3/11/2020 3:00:00 PM

Thank you Heidi, memories like that stay with you. Tom

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 3/11/2020 9:37:00 AM

- ..... I'd rather say: Until we meet again ... - Beautiful and deeply moving, Tom - Good luck in the contest :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Tom Cunningham
Date: 3/11/2020 11:09:00 AM

Thanks Anne, that's good advice, but they live on In your heart and memories. Tom

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 3/11/2020 9:04:00 AM

A sad one. You never know what images will stay with you.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 3/11/2020 11:08:00 AM

Thanks Richard, when it's someone really close it's all very surreal I found Tom

Harry Horsman

Date: 3/11/2020 1:58:00 AM

One stand alone poem, that need further investigating, love this, so off i go, see you there Tom.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 3/11/2020 6:28:00 AM

Thank you very much Harry. Tom

Susan Ashley

Date: 3/10/2020 8:25:00 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

Tom Cunningham
Date: 3/11/2020 6:27:00 AM

Thank you you very much Susan, its such an emotional time for those left behind. Tom

Gordon Mcconnell

Date: 3/10/2020 11:35:00 AM

A lovely piece well-penned Tom, in a sad place even though it was fictional. Blessings, Gordon

Tom Cunningham
Date: 3/10/2020 1:03:00 PM

Thank you Gordon, I always find that the worst to cope with when a loved one passes. Tom

Lindsay Laurie

Date: 3/9/2020 7:36:00 PM

Hello Tom ... I guess holding on to fine memories shows a love and respect that never dies - thanks Tom - Lindsay

Tom Cunningham
Date: 3/10/2020 3:35:00 AM

Thanks Lindsay, it's the last time you'll see them in a sense. Tom

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 3/9/2020 7:00:00 PM

you chose a very good stanza to use as a stand-alone poem, Tom. I really like this.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 3/10/2020 3:34:00 AM

Thank you Andrea, the coffin is always the first thing you look at when you go into the church. Tom

Panagiota Romios

Date: 3/9/2020 12:44:00 PM

A lovely write from a most loving soul. Crossing my fingers for a win in this contest.. Panagiota xx

Tom Cunningham
Date: 3/9/2020 1:13:00 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

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 3/9/2020 12:34:00 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.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 3/9/2020 1:11:00 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

Paul Callus

Date: 3/9/2020 12:02:00 PM

Beautiful and so touching, Tom. While reading, I was there standing next to you! Regards // paul

Tom Cunningham
Date: 3/9/2020 1:03:00 PM

Thank you Paul, it's so final when you see the coffin in the church.. Hope your well. Tom

Sandra Adams

Date: 3/9/2020 5:19:00 AM

You took me to the scene. Funeral images always stay with us ... best wishes in the contest. Hugs

Tom Cunningham
Date: 3/9/2020 5:43:00 AM

Thank you Sandra, those scenes stay with us for ever. Hope you're well. Tom

Eve Roper

Date: 3/8/2020 7:28:00 PM

Perfect insert, Tom, for the contest. Good luck.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 3/8/2020 7:42:00 PM

Thank you very much Eve. Tom

Jan Allison

Date: 3/8/2020 9:13:00 AM

such emotion n just a few lines Tom:-) I am posting a poem about a funeral too:-) hugs Jan xx

Tom Cunningham
Date: 3/8/2020 12:10:00 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