A Funeral I Saw

A funeral I saw.

Slender, dwelt the mortal’s hand

On gravestones muted now with age

The suit clad soul, still reeling

Steps nettles to her side

So much more than sorrow

Is the loss

Brass name plate, varnished pine

Down in stone and soil

And shaking, placed the single rose

It's dark now, so life goes

Clay thuds on the coffin

And as the darkness shrouds

Loss gets even harder under

Contemplating clouds.

1990 ©️ Gerry Tully

Aging/Growing

Aging/Growing.

It's comfortable now.

Being here

No longer feeling preyed upon.

It's past and I've survived.

Renewed and more alive.

Stale beer and fags

Smell comforting entirely.

So different when you're older

Conversation is a joy.

Nocturnal Creatures, all.

We laugh as we drive by.

Tracing the roads around Meath

Being devoured by the night.

Was a favourite place to hide

We'd laugh, and laugh in spite

Of all that's real like sand and stone

We let it slip beyond confusion

Grown up at last, at rest for now,

Away from all delusion

1995 ©️ Gerry Tully