open coffin 
wreathed with flowers 
my fathers face 
a strangers mask 
... 
flickering flames 
quiver to his widow's  
tears 
as 
friends and relatives 
each in turn 
kneel at the mask 
... 
one last look 
a few prayers 
secret memories 
then 
offer condolences 
to his children 
standing in row 
from first to last 
... 
friends and relatives 
long not seen 
talk of  
past times 
missing times 
forgotten times 
between times 
... 
then 
sign the book 
say good by 
to who will be next 
and 
talk of meeting 
next time 
... 

end 

Keith O'Connor 
July 2001 
www.tinmangallery.com