Gail Debole Poet Free verse

Nice Day For a Funeral

Written by Gail DeBole
In memory of my grandfather

Nice Day For a Funeral

I
(You were always old.  I can't remember a
time when you were not.)

Cried
(And you had no past before the first time I
became aware of your presence.)

When
(The weather huddled the mourners together.
It was a cold day, but the sun was out to pay its respects, also.)

They
(I huddled with the rest.  Echos of
the service left a sad taste in my soul.)

Lowered
(The Rabbi had spoken of you like an old friend.)

Your
(And convinced me of your close 
lifelong brotherhood with him.)

Casket.


Funeral, Eulogy, or Memorial Service Poetry Contest
Sixth Place

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Connie Marcum Wong July 2, 2019 at 11:39 AM A very beautiful poem deserving of your high honor. Congratulations! : ) Gail Debole July 2, 2019 at 12:51 PM Hi Connie, Thanks so much for stopping by with your kudos! - Gail

Line Gauthier July 2, 2019 at 6:57 AM Powerful, Gail. The format it very striking and effective. A FAVE for me. Gail Debole July 2, 2019 at 7:07 AM Line, Thanks so much for stopping by and letting me know the poem's impact on you. So glad to hear that this is one of your FAVES! - Gail

Anna M Shepard June 9, 2018 at 10:32 PM Couldn't stop reading. Heart-wrenching Gail Debole June 10, 2018 at 5:43 AM Anna, Thank you for letting me know the impact of my poem on you. My grandfather was one of the most positive influences in my life. - Gail

Christine Van Brunt June 14, 2012 at 7:04 PM Gail - This poem stopped me in my tracks. I loved it. In its E.E. Cummings-like presentation it is a double poem - the poem in the parentheses and the poem that is one word at a time. Stunning!

David Williams April 11, 2012 at 10:22 AM Gail a great tribute and nicely set out, thanks for all of your kind comments, have you thought about enering my contest, if you already have not..David Gail Debole March 23, 2026 at 9:28 AM Hello David, Sorry for such a late reply, but wanted to thank you for taking your time to provide me with your positive feedback (even though it is late). Hope all is well. - Gail

Anne-Lise Andresen April 8, 2012 at 3:07 PM Lovely memory of your grandfather Gail, bless him.Thank you for sharing this memory. - oxox Anne-Lise Gail Debole March 23, 2026 at 9:26 AM Anne - Lise, So sorry for such a delay in my reply. Trying to catch up. Thanks so much for your positive words. - oxox, Gail

Kathryn Collins April 7, 2012 at 10:48 AM Dear Gail What a beautiful way to view a burial. Sad yes, but full of life. (You were always old. I can't remember a time when you were not.) I often wondered what they were like before we came along - our parents our grandparents. love, Kathy Gail Debole March 23, 2026 at 9:24 AM Hi Kathryn, Thank you for taking the time to give me your thoughts. I am trying to catch up on replies. So sorry for the delay. One of my goals is to start visiting other poets' pages again. We can always do some research on our ancestors, but will never truly know them. I was lucky to have had the chance to know one set of my grandparents well. - Love to you, Gail

Debbie Guzzi April 5, 2012 at 7:06 PM Elegant! unique..personal & meaningful what more could a reader ask for! Thanks so much for stoping by my writes [try some of my long one haiku is not really my thing though I have been emmersed in trying for over 2 years now! could take a lifetime!] Light & Love Gail Debole March 23, 2026 at 9:20 AM Debbie, Thank you for taking the time to give me your thoughts. I am catching up on replies! Sorry for the delay. At some point, I need to start visiting the works of other poets and you are definitely on my list. I hope all is well and have been successful with your haiku goals. - Gail