The Reminder

The single church bells eerie boom Serves only to enhance the gloom, They pass the freshly open tomb They’ve come to say goodbye. The vicar speaks in solemn drone Of someone he has never known, Someone with whom they all have grown For they are all his friends Standing in silence in a pew Recalling things they used to do, The things as youths they thought they knew Yet never understood. They never knew their time was set, They knew not then, they know not yet, Just how much time they each will get Today they’ve been reminded No longer can they all pretend, The lives they have will never end, They’ve said goodbye to their old friend None are alas immortal Though passions rise with love or hate For both the humble and the great It’s time and chance that seals your fate And everyone is counted.