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First Funeral For a Five Year Old

I
close my
eyes in haste,
one’s body gone
into the inner sanctum of the ground.
Gone, gone forever into paradise.
are you joking
I’m asking,
in the
ground?

© Harry J Horsman 2012

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Gwendolen Song Date: 11/1/2012 8:00:00 AM Hiya Harry! A mind bending poem that stirs my soul...thank goodness I have yet to attend the funeral of anyone in that age category...what a heart ripping experience this must have been...appreciated the ending that shows so much denial of what u just experienced...powerful write! Top of the day to you gwendolen Login to Reply

Sheri Fresonke Harper Date: 10/1/2012 11:39:00 AM Hi Harry, Pretty gut wrenching title, the poem says I'm not alone feeling that way. Sheri Login to Reply

Sara Kendrick Date: 9/20/2012 7:48:00 AM The five year old has a valid point..They can only understand in the concrete and not abstract..Enjoyed reading your work..I need to look up Tetractys and try to write one..I can't remember if I have or not..I like the way it looks..Thanks for stopping by..Your comments are always so uplifting..Sara Login to Reply

Justin Bordner Date: 9/18/2012 10:33:00 PM We do have some quaint traditions in the West Harry - cremation has always seemed more favorable to me - perhaps the inner sanctum for the Soul is outward, into the space of light - paradise, never ending life - J.A.B. % Login to Reply

Joyce Johnson Date: 9/18/2012 10:13:00 AM I remember when a beloved old neighbor died when I was a child and I was given the chance to go if I wanted to, I refused. I am sure it could be very traumatic for a child. Thank you for your kind comments on my Endless Love entry. Love, Joyce Login to Reply

Len Gasun Date: 9/17/2012 8:32:00 PM hmmmnnnn great write, Harry!!! so sad but i love it!! thanks for stopping by and your kind comments! have a grace-filled and wonderful day always!!! hugs:) Login to Reply

Mandy Tams The Golden Girl Date: 9/17/2012 8:13:00 AM Strong one harry , well done. xx soup Login to Reply

Bl Devnath Date: 9/17/2012 7:08:00 AM It's a powerful poem. You are brave and you can go to deep imagination with truth. Thanks,for your comment. Loved always, bl Login to Reply

Anthony Nutter Date: 9/16/2012 3:25:00 PM Loved it, I feel the poem can be taken two different ways. The first a five year old witnessing a funeral for the first time and questions how one is buried in the ground and finds paradise there. The other is the adult seeing the irony in the situation. Where the body is laid to rest makes no difference, the spirit has already been ushered back to the creator. Sorry for the long reply your poem sparked a lot of thoughts for me. Login to Reply

Andrea Dietrich Date: 9/16/2012 12:07:00 PM wow, harry. This is powerful. Did you recently witness such an event? I really like to see you posting poems like this one. Login to Reply

Russell Sivey Date: 9/16/2012 11:38:00 AM Wow, what a powerful and grand write this one is my friend! I truly love this very truthful and significant poem this is! What would one think after he is dead I wonder? "Are you going to put me there? In the ground?" Ha ha, well this is a serious poem Harry, I don't mean to be offensive, but it did strike a funny note there! What a fabulous poem here, Great Work!! Login to Reply

Doris Culverhouse Date: 9/16/2012 9:47:00 AM When my brother in law died, his mother said I can't stand the thoughts of him being out there under the ground. In the dark. It is creepy to think of your child there even though he was 48 years old. Login to Reply