How to mourn

 How to mourn?


How to mourn a Friend now dead

When God himself no longer lives

No kindly priestly patter can console

Now that we’ve buried old beliefs?


The skylight in the roof is frozen over

No sunlight can brighten up the room

Where he took his breath last time

As we held ours in deep mid winter. 


No easy words fall from our lips

No prayers can fill what we miss

We will keep the memories in our heart

The joy they bring will never part. 


On a frozen morn in Temple Hill

A room of Quakers sitting still

At a January service mourning 

A Friend whose faith gives hope


To those who have lost belief

In salvation for this dear earth

For this life or the next

Whatever that might bring. 


All that remains - a cold coffin

The anguish of family and friends 

The tiny glimmer in the corner 

Of Hope against all the odds. 

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