Gershon Wolf Poet Elegy

Her Body Lies In State Now

Her body lies in state before us now
  Her last breath taken after a vow
As remarkable as any ever heard
  Magnanimous in message; brief in word

As we gather to bid her farewell
  Our broken hearts yet manage to swell
With pride at what she hath bequeathed
  A gift for the ages, her conscience unsheathed

Looking on in awe as she, gathering her strength
  Raising up on her pillow, pausing at length
Then straining her voice, sweet as a nightingale's
  Pouring forth this prayer, ascending Lady Justice's scales

Dear Lord, please take me back to your garden
  But first assure me that you will pardon
All the sins of those now gathered before me
  For if you will not honor this, my fervent plea
    ~ I take upon myself all future suffering
         Of these, my friends and family

And with that, she lay her head back on death's comforting pillow
  As we stood silent, arms extended, touched by her soul -- weeping willows


                                
                           June 23, 2019
      Funeral, Eulogy, or Memorial Service Poetry Contest
                    Sponsor: Team Poetry Soup

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Caren Krutsinger June 25, 2019 at 7:11 PM Very nicely done. Good luck in the contest for sure, Gershon. Gershon Wolf June 25, 2019 at 8:36 PM Thank you for your wishes, Caren. Wishing you luck in all of your contest entries as well. Best always, Gershon

Kim Rodrigues June 23, 2019 at 5:21 PM Very cool write! Gershon Wolf June 23, 2019 at 5:58 PM Thanks for your kind words on this eulogy, Kim. I was trying to write in a semi-classical style, and hope that I've achieved some measure of success. Appreciate your support. Warm wishes, Gershon