Jan Allison Poet Free verse

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Heartache At Covid 19 Funeral

Just the vicar
                            four pallbearers
               and nine mourners
                                gathered at the graveyard
                     for the funeral of my husband’s best friend


                    In line with strict regulations
          we stood apart wearing masks
                        whilst the camera rolled recording the service
                for those who were unable to attend


                                       I had to fight the urge to go over 
                     to give his distraught wife a hug 
                                as she bent down to kiss the coffin
                                                  before saying her final farewell 

                              Then ... I couldn’t stop the flood of tears 
                                                   at not being able to comfort her 


                                           My heart aches
            that we couldn’t console his wife at her time of great need
                    that his son and daughter had to watch via zoom
                             that his many friends couldn’t gather to say goodbye
                           and we couldn’t give him the send off he truly deserved 



                             Just nine mourners allowed to attend ...                            
                             my heavy heart still aches


Writing Prompt - Ache - Poetry Contest


Sponsored by Constance La France

04/25/21

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Mark Koplin April 29, 2021 at 4:51 PM A very sad and trying time. It's so hard to have closure when a funeral can't be attended. Great write Jan!

Lindsay Laurie April 28, 2021 at 6:13 PM Hello Jan ... a sad tale caused by this cursed virus. Thankfully at this time we are through all that heartbreaking stuff and there's a lot more vigilance. A great poem indeed Jan - Lindsay

Connie Marcum Wong April 27, 2021 at 10:59 PM Your poem is so touching and beautifully written Jan. I can certainly relate. Only my daughter, my granddaughter, and myself were at my husband‘s funeral. Congratulations on your wonderful win. Blessings xxoo

Constance La France April 27, 2021 at 3:17 PM Jan, congratulations on your win in my Writing Prompt -Ache- Challenge with this beautiful Free Verse poem written with so much emotion, it truly touched my heart, well done, love _Constance Jan Allison April 27, 2021 at 3:21 PM Thanks Constance I tend to go out of my comfort zone when writing for your contests:-) hugs Jan xx

Anisha Dutta April 27, 2021 at 11:02 AM JAN Similar events we are experiencing. MY brother in Law passed away battling with Covid. My Sister is also affected. She is onway of recovery. Their only daughter took flight to take care of her parents. She is now tested positive . My sister was not allowed to be present on cremation of her husband Me could not visit my sister in her most crucial situation. The young daughter is struggling alone. In India, situation is very grave. Jan Allison April 27, 2021 at 2:12 PM It is truly heartbreaking Anisha so sorry you have experienced this first hand with your family:-( hugs Jan xx

Paula Goldsmith April 27, 2021 at 10:22 AM Congratulations on your win. So sorry for your loss. This is so sad. A wonderful write. Have a blessed day....................... Jan Allison April 27, 2021 at 2:11 PM Thanks Paula:-) hugs jan xx

Unseeking Seeker April 26, 2021 at 11:16 PM Harsh, poignant reality of these times. In some cases, no one is left to claim the body for the funeral service. Jan Allison April 27, 2021 at 2:09 PM that is so sad :-( hugs Jan xx

David Kavanagh April 26, 2021 at 2:47 PM Back with Congratulations Jan on a poem, you probably wish, No definitely wish, you never had to write, cheers David Jan Allison April 27, 2021 at 2:08 PM Believe me David it is definitely an scenario I would never wan t to repeat:-( hugs Jan xx

Marilene Evans April 26, 2021 at 1:46 PM So, very sad, Jan. My niece and my brother died of Covid and I'm so grateful, we were able to see them on the wake and on the funeral. The sad thing, we were not able to see them in the hospital when they were very sick and dying. I'm so sorry for the loss of your and your husband's friend. Jan Allison April 27, 2021 at 2:07 PM Thanks Marilene, he died of cancer but the regulations meant only 10 people could actually attend and no singing and not being able to comfort out friend was truly heartbreaking:-( hugs jan xx

Beryl Edmonds April 26, 2021 at 1:42 PM Back with congratulations Jan on your win... Belle xx Jan Allison April 27, 2021 at 2:01 PM Thanks Belle:-) hugs Jan xx

Ilene Bauer April 26, 2021 at 1:01 PM so very sad, jan, but you've described this so well in your poem. i think not being able to be with loved ones who are sick or dying or being buried is one of the worst things about this pandemic. i'm sorry for the loss of your and your husband's friend... Jan Allison April 27, 2021 at 2:01 PM It has been truly heartbreaking on so many levels Ilene:-( hugs Jan xx

Mike Gentile April 26, 2021 at 12:55 PM It is truly devastating Jan, your moving write brings it home! xxoo Jan Allison April 27, 2021 at 2:00 PM thanks so much Mike:-) hugs Jan xx

Rico Leffanta April 26, 2021 at 12:14 PM What is wrong at IOM with so many contracting cancers? Take care! Aloha! Rico Jan Allison April 27, 2021 at 12:59 PM we have the fall out from Sellafield and suspect many cancers are as a result of it:-( hugs jan xx

Caren Krutsinger April 26, 2021 at 7:41 AM This is seriously sad and the reality of this whole year for hundreds of thousands of mourners all over the world. Thank you for this lovely reminder we should value every second we have. Jan Allison April 27, 2021 at 12:57 PM Love your comment, thanks Caren:-)hugs Jan xx

Kim Rodrigues April 26, 2021 at 4:42 AM Wow, certain sadness. My mom’s was more generous. We loved...we hugged. I was wondering if we would. Even the priest gave a hearty hug. God bless you, sweet Jan! Jan Allison April 27, 2021 at 12:57 PM So glad you got to say a proper goodbye Kim:-)hugs Jan xx

Victor Buhagiar April 26, 2021 at 1:55 AM Too sad, but the are other ways of dying. My daughter's fiend died from excess speed. One way or another dead is always a sad affair. Jan Allison April 27, 2021 at 12:56 PM Thanks Victor:-( hugs Jan xx

Tom Cunningham April 26, 2021 at 1:53 AM Funerals are always sad occasions Jan but not being able to offer comfort to the bereaved is heartbreaking. Tom Jan Allison April 27, 2021 at 12:55 PM It was truly heartbreaking Tom, i never want to go to another funeral under covid restrictions:-( hugs Jan xx

Beryl Edmonds April 25, 2021 at 5:34 PM It’s unbelievably sad Jan, when will it end... Belle xx Jan Allison April 27, 2021 at 12:54 PM I keep getting emotional over little things like today we were watching the snooker which our friend adored:-( hugs Jan xx

Tania Kitchin April 25, 2021 at 4:40 PM Jan, a very sad but well penned poem. Covid is taking away too many lives! hugs Jan Allison April 25, 2021 at 4:47 PM Thanks Tania, he actually had terminal cancer but covid restrictions denied people the change to even say goodbye to him not even his children could attend it was truly heartbreaking. hugs jan xx

Darlene De Beaulieu April 25, 2021 at 4:00 PM Hello Jan, at times like these it is hard to console people with this virus. Funerals are hard now. Because of this virus. Hugs Darlene Darlene De Beaulieu April 26, 2021 at 11:29 AM Hello Jan, I feel for you. Funerals are hard on people. To attend so many funerals at one time is so sad. Hugs Darlene Also hard on the family. Jan Allison April 25, 2021 at 4:38 PM It was truly heartbreaking on so many levels Darlene, we attended funerals no problem last year when we were out of lockdown but this one with the restrictions was so so difficult:-( hugs Jan xx

Arturo Michael April 25, 2021 at 3:55 PM This sounds real...and it's happening every day recently...Well expressed. Jan Allison April 25, 2021 at 3:56 PM sadly it was a real experience for me and I never want to go through it again Arturo:-( hugs Jan xx

Alexis Y. April 25, 2021 at 2:58 PM Hi Jan, COVID 19 has been devastating to all worldwide. It’s sad when we can’t console one another in our time of grief due to COVID’s strict regulations. I went to a funeral on Wednesday; they had the service outside under a tent. We viewed the body in the funeral a few at a time. I am so sorry for your loss - Best wishes in the contest-Alexis Jan Allison April 25, 2021 at 3:33 PM so sorry you have to go through this too, not being able to grieve to hug linda or even talk properly because of the masks was truly heart breaking. the impact of the virus is not just on physical health its mental health too:-( hugs Jan xx

David Kavanagh April 25, 2021 at 2:13 PM It’s very sad Jan, the restrictionists feel almost like a modern day Leprosy, forgive my analogy, a very poignant stark poem, People can feel the heartache in your writing, cheers David Jan Allison April 25, 2021 at 2:19 PM We attended 6 funerals last year - all of them when we didn't have covid and so no regulations, this one was the first one we attended with covid restrictions. no singing hymns, distancing and no wake. it was almost like we didnt get to say a proper goodbye:-( will be a proper service later in the year:-) hugs Jan xx

L Milton Hankins April 25, 2021 at 2:01 PM I'm afraid this is but one of he horrors COVID has visited upon us. I know grandparents who have yet to see their grandchildren who are over a year old. Let's just hope it will all be over soon. Jan Allison April 25, 2021 at 2:17 PM If the funeral had been 3 days later there would have been no restrictions, it was truly heartbreaking his children couldn't attend:-( Can't believe how this virus has totally taken over so many aspects of our lives:-( hugs Jan xx