Funeral in the Rain by John Grey

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Funeral in the Rain

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warm rain,

cold blood

.

the women have kissed

all the cheeks they’re ever

going to kiss

.

the men have waked

until they can barely wake

no more

.

funeral rolls by

sacred haunts –

sad faces press to glass

stare out at the living

as they pass on by

.

rosewood coffin

carries him off –

among the mourners,

fingers grip like

claws in flesh

.

preacher stands amid

the wildflowers,

tries to convince

those present

that the deceased

has never been so far

beyond darkness

trees shake,

leaves tremble,

all out of respect

for raindrops

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John Grey is an Australian poet, US resident. Recently published in Sin Fronteras, Dalhousie Review and Qwerty with work upcoming in West Trade Review, Willard and Maple and Connecticut River

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