I Can'T Attend Your Funeral

I can't attend your funeral, I'll share no eulogy;
  I won't be present, though you've been a treasured friend to me.
I'd really love to pay respects at your last resting place
  but I've not had the joy to ever meet you face to face.

I've never been inside your home nor driven down your street,
  in fact, I might not recognize you if we chanced to meet.
The face in your small avatar (or maybe a design),
  is all I have to go on if our paths should intertwine.

And yet I know your heart - you've written poetry sublime,
  your comments at my poems lift my spirits every time.
When you reply, it's like we've both been friends for many years,
  and when your soupmails come, I know we're more than simply peers.

Some live in other countries, most are many miles away.
  The cost of travel is prohibitive, I'm sad to say.
When close the curtains of my heart at last, you will be there
  in spirit, thanks to poetry that we've been blessed to share.


     // This is my gratitude poem to the many Soup friends who
          have been my lifeline in 2020. Thank you all ~ John //

Written 22 Dec 2020
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

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Burrows Avatar
April 2, 2021 at 4:22 PM
That was very thoughtful and so true. It was kind and perceptive. Thank you!
Proxenos Avatar
December 30, 2020 at 9:14 AM
John, what a kind soul you are, you are gentle and you touch hearts because each of your comments are heartfelt, and as for your poems they are tres extraoridnaire! May you and yours be blessed always. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.
Koplin Avatar
December 29, 2020 at 9:18 AM
You have a very profound and powerful write here John. We get to know a person in so much depth on this site and yet we could pass them on the street and never know who they are. Congratulations on your win!
Watt Avatar
December 29, 2020 at 3:02 PM
So true, Mark. It's a new form of friendship that takes some getting used to. Perhaps it's what our parents and grandparents enjoyed as 'pen pals'. Anyway, thanks for the comment and happy New Year to you and yours ~ John
Goldsmith Avatar
December 27, 2020 at 9:48 AM
Congratulation on your win. "Amazing" I love your line, "in spirit, thanks to poetry that we've been blessed to share." Soup has made us friends with our writings. Enjoy your win today with joy/blessings..............
Watt Avatar
December 29, 2020 at 3:01 PM
Paula, I so agree with what you say. These friendships that have come from reading and writing poetry are precious. Enjoy your day and happy New Year! John
Devonshire Avatar
December 27, 2020 at 9:27 AM
Your poem is so beautiful, John. We should pay tribute to all the friends from Soup whom we've never met. They do give us a "life line" in times of grief or loneliness. Hope you are having a wonderful holiday season. Congrats on your win! Love, Carolyn
Watt Avatar
December 29, 2020 at 3:00 PM
Thank you, dear Carolyn! You are so right about our Soup friends. My holiday season is going well, enjoying some nice rest from work this week, then back to the grind next week. Hugs and happy New Year to you! John
Seeker Avatar
December 26, 2020 at 9:52 PM
Soft, subtle, soothing, warm empathy! Simply divine! Congrats on your win!
Watt Avatar
December 27, 2020 at 7:53 PM
Thank you, my friend, and happy New Year to you ~ John
Dietrich Avatar
December 26, 2020 at 6:38 PM
I see this just won a contest. BIG congrats . It's placement was very well deserved.
Watt Avatar
December 27, 2020 at 7:52 PM
Thank you very much!
Rodrigues Avatar
December 26, 2020 at 4:27 AM
Very sweet, John! We share the kindred spirit of poetry. We all have a type of friendship that is embraced.
Watt Avatar
December 27, 2020 at 7:52 PM
It's a wonderful thread to pull together such diverse people. I'm thankful for every friend PS has facilitated. Happy New Year to you, my friend!
Dietrich Avatar
December 24, 2020 at 6:19 PM
wow, this is so very sweet, John. You ought to have blogged it!! merry Christmas. I am so glad we got to know each other this year.
Watt Avatar
December 27, 2020 at 7:51 PM
I'm glad too, Andrea. You visiting and commenting on all my poems was an unforeseen gift, but incredibly supportive of you. Thank you ~ John
Mcintosh Avatar
December 23, 2020 at 3:56 PM
I love this!!! So wonderful and thank you too. God B L E S S you always and Merry Christmas to you
Watt Avatar
December 23, 2020 at 11:39 PM
Thank you for the encouraging and uplifting thoughts and blessings, Gina. Merry Christmas to you and God bless ~ John
Bauer Avatar
December 23, 2020 at 1:40 PM
wonderful! i can so relate to the verse about "the face in your small avatar." we are all really strangers but friends at the same time. well said, john...
Watt Avatar
December 23, 2020 at 11:39 PM
thank you for your always kind encouragement, ilene. we are friends here in a very meaningful, yet unconventional way.
Y. Avatar
December 23, 2020 at 8:35 AM
Hi John, This is a heartfelt and thoughtful tribute, to poetry that have passed away.Best wishes in the contest-Alexis
Watt Avatar
December 23, 2020 at 11:37 PM
Thank you Alexis for your kind words. They are greatly appreciated ~ John
Cunningham Avatar
December 23, 2020 at 6:33 AM
A lovely tribute to your poetry friends John, written from the heart. I hope that you will have a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year. Tom
Watt Avatar
December 23, 2020 at 11:37 PM
Thank you, Tom. I wish the same for you, and stay healthy ~ John
Wolf Avatar
December 22, 2020 at 8:15 PM
Beautifully done, John... Do wish that we could meet before the 'Final Curtain' though!! (Soup mail, please).
Watt Avatar
December 23, 2020 at 11:36 PM
Thank you for that kind thought, GW. See my soupmail reply. Warms regards, John
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