Buried
First published in Presence #70, July 2021, pages 100–101. Originally written in February of 2014 for my dad, who died on 26 January 2014 at the age of 85. See also “Into a Roiling Sea.”
ashes to ashes—
the grey of dad’s drawing
from his childhood
snow on the hills—
the drive to the service
seems so long
cloudy but no rain . . .
I need another metaphor
for dad’s burial
discussing the weather . . .
splotches
on my funeral program
open to freezing rain
the roses
on the casket
a cappella hymn—
a few snowflakes fall
into dad’s grave
memorial service—
mother has decided
to stop dyeing her hair
slow eulogy—
my wife slips me
another tissue
the burial service
runs a little long—
cracking sky
hands clasped—
a snowflake melts
on the wooden casket
funeral’s end—
my reflection missing
in the frozen puddle