Page 23 - Kol Bogrei Habonim - November 12

ANOTHER FUNERAL*

You say you’re sorry
you shed a tear or two

for their loss
and share their grief.

You ask how did it happen
what was it exactly,
cancer, stroke or heart.

You relate when last you spoke.
For some it was only yesterday

for others just over a year
but it seems not long ago.

You talk of shared memories
and even have a laugh or two.

You look at his picture
you eat and drink
and then you go home,

relieved it wasn’t you
or anyone really close to you,

leaving the bereaved
to deal with their sorrow.

And you feel cheap,
you haven’t really helped

nor deeply shared their grief
but feared your own mortality

and the knowledge that
their pain will one day

be yours.

by Judy Foner
* Honourable mention 2004 “Voices” Reuben Rose Poetry Competition

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