On the death of a neighbour

smooth blond stone
fresh planed oak
the clinical altar
to cremate dead folk
devoid of laughter
flower leaf
this bitter crucible
to spill our grief
for sombre public
glass-eyed stares
elegy precedes
three hymns two prayers
then it's done
silent curtains ruffle
bow to her coffin
and out we shuffle
handshakes kisses
journey home bereft
each of us thinking
how long the other has left

© Graham Sherwood 01/2017