My Time To Go

Flowers, candles, beautiful music,
Pictures of me on the wall,
Family and friends, laughing and crying,
Children playing in a room, down the hall.

There are more here than I expected,
I thought there'd be fifty at most,
I won't tell the actual number, though,
It's rude for a dead man to boast.

The mood is somber, as mourners file by,
Some looking, others looking away,
They pay their respects, to my grief-stricken wife,
Then they leave, and get on with their day.

Next day, the funeral, the final goodbye,
Close friends and family, all dressed in black,
The service, at church, per my request,
Most in attendance will never come back.

The preacher delivers a wonderful speech,
Reminding them of where I have gone,
The eulogies are read, sad, short, and sweet,
They want to say more, but it's time to move on.

Again, they file past me, one last time,

The crying much louder than before,

Long lost family take time to reminisce,

Until my casket is rolled to the door.

The cars are lined up, row after row,

Little flags, blowing in the wind,

They'll follow the hearse, to my resting place,

Contemplating their own life's end.

They arrive, they notice the well-kept lawn,

So serene, but sad, just the same,

They make their way, to the freshly dug grave,

They admire the headstone, they notice my name.

The preacher delivers some comforting words,

Quiet sobbing, the only other sound,

They lower my coffin, so careful, so slow,

'Til it comes to rest, in its' place underground.

The service is now over, the crowd is all gone,

My body is resting in the earth below,

My soul has gone on, to be with my Lord,

'Til they're reunited, 'til the trumpet blows.

My wife always visits my grave site,

She comes every chance that she gets,

The boys come with her on Memorial Day,

They all laugh, and tell stories, and reflect.

They are happy.  I am happy.  Amen.