Notes About The Poem

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Just Buried

  Goodbye! Goodbye!
Father, we buried you today
  in a wicker casket
wherein bones of Mother lay.
  Laid to rest upon her
  as the guest of honour
together once more to stay.

  Goodbye! Goodbye!
I read the eulogy that I wrote
  but in a final regret
the words stuck in my throat.
  Then sang my heart
 "How Great Thou Art"
and now I write my footnote.

  Goodbye! Goodbye!
It’s time for my closing verse.
  How long the years
that bless and unkindly curse,
  till in a black wagon
  our sorry a-rse draggin’
we get to flat ride in a hearse.

  Farewell! Farewell!
For most of us the one day
  we get to ride in a big
  chauffeur driven limo
is the one day you're DOA!
  Now old and wearied
alas my father just buried!


         1921 ~ 2014

  Written: October 2014
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

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Greenhough Avatar
July 7, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Your poem of sadness is but a reminder. Our time is not long. I just saw the photograph. I send my condolences. May your parents continue in eterrnity.
Trestrail Avatar
July 8, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Thanks Hilda. It’s the circle of life and all that. We all return to dust.
Cornish Avatar
July 7, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Finnegan's wake indeed! and a warning that you might perhaps be around long enough to torment other picnics -- I'm 77 and my dear Mom turned 95 in April so I may do the same! Yet your Mum passed at only 46 - so very young like my Dad passing at 41 -- fate is ... what it is?
Trestrail Avatar
July 7, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Yes Craig, I too hope to rise again from my sleep of the dead through distillation of the Holy Spirit, not the whiskey spirit like Finnegan. Cheers.
Goldsmith Avatar
July 1, 2025 at 12:11 PM
I enjoyed reading your wonderful yet sad "Farewell and Goodbye" write. Have a blessed day writing away..........
Trestrail Avatar
July 1, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Not sad, Paula. He was 93 and lived a full life. He was ready and so was God. Thanks, as always, for stopping by.
Parker Avatar
July 1, 2025 at 10:09 AM
RIP, Mr. Dad.
Trestrail Avatar
July 1, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Just a tongue in cheek dedication. I don’t want any wailing and gnashing of teeth at my send off. I want bagpipes and singing and dancing and drinking. Maybe some fireworks and a glass top coffin to take in the view.
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