Tom Cunningham Poet Sonnet

Notes About The Poem

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A Winters Funeral

The church of Saint Ann is by the river
Fifty sad mourners standing at its gate
A cold December chill made them shiver
Ice on the roads caused the hearse to be late.

Twenty minutes late, then it did arrive
Six pallbearers shouldered the coffin in
The mourners couldn’t wait to get inside
Leading the mourners were the next of kin.

A lovely service and the choir sang
Readings were read by friends and family 
The service now over the church bell rang
All made their way to the cemetery.

The coffin was lowered, more prayers were said
Then on to the wake for hot soup and bread.



Written on 13th July 2018

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Valsa George March 31, 2022 at 1:26 AM You have vividly portrayed the scene ! I see myself on the line of mourners! A touching experience ! Tom Cunningham March 31, 2022 at 1:51 AM Thank you very much Valsa, have been to many funerals and most times it has been cold and wet. Thats British weather for you. Tom

Michelle Faulkner August 13, 2018 at 2:38 PM My Granddad died two weeks before Christmas (this was about a decade ago) and this gentle poem reminded me so much of the day he was buried, so thank you for posting this- Tom Cunningham August 14, 2018 at 7:44 AM Thank you Michelle, Its something we all experience at some point in our lives and sadly the older you get the more funerals you attend. But they live on in our hearts and we have fond memories of those who have gone before us. Regards Tom

Paris-Maree Boreham July 17, 2018 at 9:15 AM Well written Tom Cunningham ! Tom Cunningham July 17, 2018 at 10:15 AM Thank you Paris. Tom

Andrea Dietrich July 16, 2018 at 5:59 PM I really like how you took this event that must happen so often in cold parts of the world and just wrote it all out, just how it happens. Very nice. Tom Cunningham July 16, 2018 at 6:06 PM Thanks Andrea, have attended many over the years and they never seem to be in summertime, it either rains or snows and always a grey sky. Tom

Eileen Manassian July 16, 2018 at 11:53 AM I could see it in my mind's eye, Tom. I lost my mother to MS. Every funeral reminds me of her....Lovely piece. Tom Cunningham July 16, 2018 at 12:34 PM Thanks Eillen, have been to many over the last few years including both my parents, images always surface, we never forget them. Tom

Harry Horsman July 15, 2018 at 3:54 PM You take one there, Tom, love your sonnet. Tom Cunningham July 15, 2018 at 4:09 PM Thanks Harry, been to many over the years and memories of them surface. Tom

Sara Kendrick July 15, 2018 at 1:53 PM Sad to loose a loved one be it family or friend. Your writing about it brought it home. Thanks for your visit to my page. Sara Tom Cunningham July 15, 2018 at 2:03 PM Thank you Sara, funerals are always a sad occasion, but a chance to say goodbye to loved ones. Tom

Demetrios Trifiatis July 15, 2018 at 3:10 AM Mournful imagery so vividly expressed that found myself among the family holding back my tears dear, Tom! Superbly written! Tom Cunningham July 15, 2018 at 3:35 AM Thank you Demetrios, a sad occasion without a doubt, but gives us a chance to say a final goodbye, until one day we meet again. Tom

Viv Wigley July 15, 2018 at 1:44 AM Sent a chill through my warm summer bones, Tom. I've done around five funerals this year already- black tie on rapid response alert :). Regards, Viv Tom Cunningham July 15, 2018 at 3:32 AM Thanks Viv, sadly they become the norm as we get older, I too have the black tie on standby, you must have been a boy scout too lol.

Gershon Wolf July 14, 2018 at 11:43 PM Nice vignette, Tom. Felt as if I was there ... by the way, want to mention that I am about to take a lengthy break from P.S. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your constant support and encouragement. You've certainly given me a boost! … Wishing you all the best, Gershon Tom Cunningham July 15, 2018 at 12:57 AM Thank you Gershon, Thank you also for your support on here, I hope it is an enjoyable break for you and look forward to your return. Good luck. Tom

Emile Pinet July 14, 2018 at 1:29 PM You paint a picture with words that brings your vision alive in the reader’s mind, and we too can appreciate the moment and feelings you've captured. Emile. Tom Cunningham July 14, 2018 at 5:35 PM Thank you Emile, I know many will have experienced what I have written about at some point in their lives. It is an emotional experience that leaves an impression in your mind, the saying goodbye to a friend or relative. Tom

Mick Talbot July 14, 2018 at 9:44 AM With respect, loved it all but the last line grabbed me, usually a tipple of sorts lol. Mick Tom Cunningham July 14, 2018 at 10:47 AM Thanks Mick, Oh you're right Mick a few tipples' but first the soup, only in winter though lol. Tom

Pandita Sietesantos July 14, 2018 at 8:30 AM Yes, as we get older, it seems like we start attending more funerals than weddings:-)! I enjoyed reading this well-written sonnet dealing with a poignant every day aspect of life. Well done, my friend! Hugs and love. Pandita Tom Cunningham July 14, 2018 at 9:31 AM Thank you very much Pandita, but you're right, more funerals' as we get elder. Tom

Lyric Man July 13, 2018 at 9:05 PM A scene played out thousands of times a day. You would think enough to get the attention of the living, where we truly contemplate life, but no! It's just a conveyer belt and soon we will be the ones at the end. Will the world notice, no! Only a few family and friends. May we live with our end in mind and live to increase our impact with family and multiply our friends! Tom Cunningham July 13, 2018 at 9:23 PM Thank you Dave, how true is your response, a conveyer belt that we will all end up on for sure there is no getting away from it, all we can do is lead a good life and make the most of the time we have. When we do go hopefully our work on here might bring pleasure to people in the future. Tom

Jan Allison July 13, 2018 at 5:21 PM A very touching piece, I've been to two in 2 weeks Tom - didn't go to either wake so doubt soup and bread was served as its been so hot here. :-) hugs Jan xx Tom Cunningham July 13, 2018 at 5:32 PM Thanks Jan, as we get older it becomes the norm. Soup always welcome at a winter funeral though. Poured down here today, summer having a break I think

Nette Onclaud July 13, 2018 at 4:17 PM the poignancy of this piece was what i turned to, tom... wonderfully done!..huggs Tom Cunningham July 13, 2018 at 5:21 PM Thank you Nette, the last few years have been nothing but funerals, part of life I suppose. Tom

Anne-Lise Andresen July 13, 2018 at 1:03 PM - I always freeze at funerals ... always bad weather on such days ... maybe there should be hot soup in the church - Great written, Tom - hugs // Anne-Lise :) Tom Cunningham July 13, 2018 at 1:07 PM Thanks Sunshine, but how true, its always grey skies and gloom, I cant remember the last time I went to one in summertime. Tom

Heidi Sands July 13, 2018 at 12:54 PM Well described Tom.! Tom Cunningham July 13, 2018 at 1:05 PM Thank you Heidi, as you get older it's hospital appointments and funerals. Tom