Cici Sugar

Grade: 12

Mayfield High School

Instructor: Kari Beery

Farewell

Poetry

Farewell

In the empty church
The echo of my footsteps linger.
I am only one, but I am one.
The casket perches at the altar.
Underserved. All alone. No family to bid him farewell.
Sorrow consumes the concept of another being dying alone.
Does his family know he died?
I take a seat in silence.
I wait for the others to usher this man to his final resting place.
Soon six of us are settled next to the casket.
At this moment, we are all this man has, and ever had
Underserved. All alone. No family to bid him farewell.
Rest eternal grant unto them and let light perpetual shine upon them.
Amen.
Heads bowed down and
Hands slightly clasped together,
as every human deserves to leave this earth with dignity.
At the gravesite,
The cold air rips through us.
Gently, we plant the casket on the cold, hard ground.
I am overcome with the sense of responsibility to provide this man with a dignified burial.
I am only one, but I am one.
We say farewell to a man we never knew.
Underserved     Not alone.     Farewell.