The Man In The Hall
At the wake.
Clink of glass
Clatter of plate
Coals burn brightly
In the grate.
*
“Mummy, who’s that man?
He’s in the hall”
The small voice calls
above the din.
*
“Mummy, who’s that man?”
“Something to eat?”
“A sandwich or an ice?’
‘The ham is really very nice”.
*
“Mummy, who’s that man in the hall?”
“He’s wearing a long brown dress.”
Aunts and Uncles trail in;
sad and distressed.
*
The service finished,
Burial over
The wake begins.
*
Ambivalent about the sad release
They stand and share
Grandpa stories.
*
A secret no less
But in the Will;
And except for two,
No one knew his last request.
*
His wish to be buried
Laid to rest
Dressed
In the habit
Of the lay Franciscan.
*
“Mummy, who’s that man in the hall?”
“Grey-haired and pale
He looks like Grandpa!”
*
author: a.a.gallagher
Copyright 2012
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