| |
|
I want my funeral to be
in a bright cheery room
filled with daisies, dahlias
and Queen Anne 's lace.
I don't like dark places,
but I'd prefer a closed casket.
I never liked people staring at me.
Instead, they could place
my photograph on top.
Maybe the black and white
snapshot of me posing
in my striped bathing suit
when I was sixteen.
I hope my family forgets
about the time I ran
around the house screaming
that a mouse was chasing me.
It was only a ball of string.
I want my kids to forgive me
and never mention the wild
Halloween costumes I concocted.
Suzie looked like Dopey the Dwarf
with over-sized rubber ears
and a stocking ski cap;
Bobby was supposed to be
The Jolly Green Giant
with Crisco and green food dye
smeared on his face.
They looked just fine to me.
For a hymn, I'd choose something
more lively than Rock of Ages,
and a little more subdued than
When the Saints Come Marching In.
A perfect gravesite would be
on the top of a hill
with a maple tree shading my plot.
It should be in an old cemetery
Where they still allow tombstones,
so my epitaph could read,
I tried, Lord, I tried.
From Jerkumstances (Pearl Editions, 2003).
Used here with the author's permission.
|
.jpg)
Barbara Eknoian writes poetry, novels, and short stories. Her work has appeared in numerous venues and her latest book is More Jerkumstances, New & Selected Poems. Barbara lives in La Mirada, California with her daughter, grandson, and two cats;
she says the younger one keeps the family on their toes because she's full of mischief!
        
|
|
rhonasheridan:
Wonderful poem! As a much- loved friend of mines coffin went quietly behind the curtain at the crematorium - a very noisy band struck up (at her request,! ) " here comes the galloping Major!" There is a lot to be said about humour!
Posted 04/03/2016 01:37 AM
|
Lori Levy:
Great poem. Especially like the beginning!
Posted 04/02/2016 05:34 PM
|
KevinArnold:
Great poem. I wrote a column on things poets write on their gravestones. http://www.usrepresented.com/2016/01/21/kevins-much-loved-poems-requiem/
The most surprising was Elizabeth Bishops: âAll the untidy activity continues
Awful but cheerful.â
Posted 04/02/2016 02:55 PM
|
transitions:
I know...I tried too. Thank you for sharing ~
Posted 04/02/2016 12:07 PM
|
erinsnana:
great poem! Timely for me, too. I turned 65 this year and was informed by my life insurance that I was no longer eligible for benefits. They won't take any more monthly payments from me. I didn't die in time, I guess. :(
Posted 04/02/2016 11:47 AM
|
barbsteff:
I'm for When the Saints Come Marching In" for my funeral! Good poem.
Posted 04/02/2016 11:18 AM
|
cork:
I have my hill picked out!
Posted 04/02/2016 11:10 AM
|
Barry:
Great poem! Love the ending.
Posted 04/02/2016 09:11 AM
|
paradea:
Good one!!
Posted 04/02/2016 09:07 AM
|
Newf:
I looked st the title and inwardly went "oh no". Then I read it and feel like saying "me too", and read it again. Barbara got everything right, I'd love to meet her.
Posted 04/02/2016 03:09 AM
|
|
|
|
My Cart 
