Death was brutal.
The child gasped for air
but there was none.
Mamma closed her eyes
bathed her in lavender
and dressed her in a shroud.
Roses and carnations
frankincense and jasmine
the scent of burning censers
laments and flaxen light.
Yet grief is all deceiving.
She is only sleeping they cry.
But the child is dead.
She will never hear her mamma's cries;
she will never see the tears in her papa's eyes.
Her light goes out
chants and burning incense
closed doors and blinds rolled down
a final look;
a gift of soil;
a slice of bread;
a glass of oil;
and through the open earth
she vanishes into the arms of death.
Part of the cycle of poems thirteen silk verses
A few words about the poem…
The Funeral, A Poignant Elegy of Loss and Farewell – from The Cyprus Poems
The "The Funeral", a death and grief poem—part of the series "Thirteen Silk Verses" from the collection Cyprus Poems—delicately unfurls a heart-wrenching scene of loss and mourning. It captures the sombre aftermath of a young girl’s passing, enveloping the reader in an atmosphere of grief and sorrow, and fleeting moments of connection with the departed.
The poem portrays the brutality of death and the heartbreak that follows. The girl’s struggle for breath is a vivid depiction of life's fragile nature, met with the cruel inevitability of its end. As her life ebbs away, the absence of air is palpable, heightening the emotional weight of the scene.
The grieving process takes shape through the mother's actions, whose tender gestures are an embodiment of love and farewell. Closing her eyes, she bathes her in the calming essence of lavender, shrouding her in a final embrace. This intimate moment of care and devotion contrasts with the harshness of death, offering a bittersweet testament to the depth of a parent's love.
The poem's imagery is rich and evocative, painting a picture of the funeral scene with vivid strokes. Roses, carnations, frankincense, and jasmine, all contribute to the sensory atmosphere of the occasion. The scent of burning censers mingles with the laments of mourners, and a flaxen light casts a soft glow over the sombre proceedings. These intricate details create an immersive experience for the reader, allowing them to step into the world of the Greek Orthodox funeral rituals and through a journey of sorrow, where moments of connection and final goodbyes merge into the fabric of memory.
Amidst the outward displays of grief, the poem delves into the internal struggle of those left behind. The refrain of "She is only sleeping they cry" reveals the profound desire to deny the reality of death, to hold onto the hope that the departed is merely resting. This universal yearning for comfort and solace resonates with anyone who has experienced the painful void left by loss.
The poem's closing lines encapsulate the finality of death's grasp. The child's light is extinguished, the rituals of mourning unfold, and the earth swallows her into the embrace of the afterlife. This stark portrayal of the cycle of life and death is a reminder of the ephemeral nature of existence, as well as the enduring power of memory.
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