The Big Day

The big day had at long last, finally arrived
That he had been waiting for his whole life
Though he hadn't always realized

His suit had been laid out for him while he slept
His dearest had chosen colors to best represent
His greatest strengths while hiding any regrets

Hired servants washed him with reverence
Hushed tones, voices soft in his presence
His thoughts distant in contemplated existence

He wasn't royalty, he wasn't loaded with cash
His parade wasn't lead with sirens and flash
But people waved at his carriage as he passed

He seemed in a trance as he entered the hall
Pictures and awards lining the walls
His closest friends beside him, standing tall

This was his party, this was his day
His greatest prides put on display
As people from his life took turns to say:

"...Always the ideal example of a man,"
"My life is better for knowing him," and
"I admire his work, I'm his biggest fan."

And all the things he failed to accomplish
Were justified away, "He knew how to dream big"
The holes that he made just show he could dig

The crowd laughed as they roasted him
They raised their glasses and toasted to him
As his friends bragged and boasted for him

Then the mood of the room grew a little more sober
As the love of his life revealed how deeply he loved her
And the blush on his cheeks seemed out of character

They then closed their eyes and said a prayer
Thankful for the moments they were blessed to share
That formed the memories they held so dear

They tucked him gently into his little bed
Then placed a kiss on his wrinkled forehead
And took one last look before closing the lid,

Uncovered the vault, lowered him into the ground
Crying as the casket slowly went down
And then covered it up with earthen brown

Then went their separate ways to try to move on.