deepundergroundpoetry.com
FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND
(This piece, based on the Elton John song of the same name and best read while listening to the music)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=3p_xAToFzck
Solemni Pompa
Under a dark gray sky
the mourners come
beckoned by the church bells toll
and a distant organs lament
undeterred by the chill Winter wind
they come to remember
the life of a friend
Alta Tristitiam
The church doors swing wide
the mourners enter in
greeted by the anguished dirge
of the thunderous organ
played in a vain attempt
to quicken the dead
and banish the demons within
Spera Triumphi
A single white dove
is released into the gloom
as if the soul rises triumphant
from the dearly departed
and travels upward to paradise
only to return on Resurrection day
Miseratiónum Monimentum
The pews now filled
with family and friends
the tender requiem begins
what a wonderful father he was
a devoted husband too
a poem is read
his favorite hymn is sung
projected images are viewed
Lamentatione Flebili
The grieving wife loudly weeps
rushing to the coffin
crying NO! NO! NO!
others join in sobbing
the widow turns to meet their gaze
the tear stained faces
of many women she doesn't know
Celebratio
Close friends ascend the pulpit
to celebrate his life well lived
funny things he said
crazy things he did
the sound of his laughter
the warmth of his smile
memories that keep him alive
Laetus Exitus
Fueled by happy thoughts of him
smiling the pall bearers lift the casket
on shoulders they carry
his eternal vessel
not as a box with a corpse inside
but as the victorious hero of the game
Pompa Sepulturae
The mourners turned celebrants
follow their friend’s mortal shell
outside and into the ancient church yard
made glorious by the sun’s rays
penetrating the dark sky
as if heaven has descended
to welcome him home
Ultimum Vale
Family and friends encircle
the newly dug grave
nestled between ancestors
long since departed
the final resting place is blessed
the widow overcome with grief
christens the coffin lid
with a handful of soil
she kisses a single red rose
her tears, like morning dew
glisten on its delicate petals
she places it near his heart
as he is lowered into the ground
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=3p_xAToFzck
Solemni Pompa
Under a dark gray sky
the mourners come
beckoned by the church bells toll
and a distant organs lament
undeterred by the chill Winter wind
they come to remember
the life of a friend
Alta Tristitiam
The church doors swing wide
the mourners enter in
greeted by the anguished dirge
of the thunderous organ
played in a vain attempt
to quicken the dead
and banish the demons within
Spera Triumphi
A single white dove
is released into the gloom
as if the soul rises triumphant
from the dearly departed
and travels upward to paradise
only to return on Resurrection day
Miseratiónum Monimentum
The pews now filled
with family and friends
the tender requiem begins
what a wonderful father he was
a devoted husband too
a poem is read
his favorite hymn is sung
projected images are viewed
Lamentatione Flebili
The grieving wife loudly weeps
rushing to the coffin
crying NO! NO! NO!
others join in sobbing
the widow turns to meet their gaze
the tear stained faces
of many women she doesn't know
Celebratio
Close friends ascend the pulpit
to celebrate his life well lived
funny things he said
crazy things he did
the sound of his laughter
the warmth of his smile
memories that keep him alive
Laetus Exitus
Fueled by happy thoughts of him
smiling the pall bearers lift the casket
on shoulders they carry
his eternal vessel
not as a box with a corpse inside
but as the victorious hero of the game
Pompa Sepulturae
The mourners turned celebrants
follow their friend’s mortal shell
outside and into the ancient church yard
made glorious by the sun’s rays
penetrating the dark sky
as if heaven has descended
to welcome him home
Ultimum Vale
Family and friends encircle
the newly dug grave
nestled between ancestors
long since departed
the final resting place is blessed
the widow overcome with grief
christens the coffin lid
with a handful of soil
she kisses a single red rose
her tears, like morning dew
glisten on its delicate petals
she places it near his heart
as he is lowered into the ground
Published 6th May 2015
| Edited 12th Oct 2017
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6th May 2015 4:05pm
The funeral is of course the first and most conspicuous step in mourning, and you write of it extremely well. The suggestion of infidelity is a disturbing touch. I'll have to take another listen to the Elton John song.
6th May 2015 8:02pm
Thank you Crowfly! The infidelity insinuation was both an attempt at humor and is symbolic of human nature....that most of us have hidden incongruities in our lives...very few of those closet to me know that I write erotic poetry so I guess I am revealing a bit of myself with that passage as well
That damn bell toll freaks me out !
This poem is so deep it made me mist!!
Write on Brother! woops! *giggles*
Thank you for sharing Gahddess
always
Zazzles xoxoxox
This poem is so deep it made me mist!!
Write on Brother! woops! *giggles*
Thank you for sharing Gahddess
always
Zazzles xoxoxox
6th May 2015 7:54pm
Thank you Zazzles! I don't write many macabre pieces but I am so moved by the song I thought I'd experiment. Oh and by the way I'm your brother rather than sister...hell I can be anything you want :)
6th May 2015 7:56pm
6th May 2015 8:08pm
12th Sep 2015 4:55am
Nice! I love the accompaniment. It went very well with the poem. I didn't listen to the entire 10 minute song, but it seemed really well timed with the first 3 minutes as I google-translated the latin :) Worked very well. Thanks for sharing!
