Funeral

Death,
so hollow and empty
relief hides its head.
Like a small frightened child
cowering under a bed.
Grief falls over me like a blanket
heavy, dark and grasping.
Realization comes to me.
Life is a pale breath,
such as a new born babe
gasping for the first time.

Spring rain begins, with
glistening brilliance
gray slowly fades to green.
The blanket falls
the ghosts slip away.
Life will continue
as a child will play.

© Michele (Guard) Markley 1998