Funeral Poem – Ever by Meghan O’Rourke read By Marc Lemezma Funeral Celebrant in Maidstone
This is poem, with an unusual meter and sonnet-like structure, deals with the toughest part of bereavement. Denial. The author struggles with comprehending the finality of death, and the meaning of loss plays in her head.
If you look beyond the complex structure – there is a deep resonance with the internal fight we all face after losing someone.
Even now I can’t grasp “nothing” or “never.”
They’re unholdable, unglobable, no map to nothing.
Never? Never ever again to see you?
An error, I aver. You’re never nothing,
because nothing’s not a thing.
I know death is absolute, forever,
the guillotine—gutting—never to which we never say goodbye.
But even as I think “forever” it goes “ever”
and “ever” and “ever.” Ever after.
I’m a thing that keeps on thinking. So I never see you
is not a thing or think my mouth can ever. Aver:
You’re not “nothing.” But neither are you something.
Will I ever really get never?
You’re gone. Nothing, never—ever.
Poetry is written to be shared, read and heard.
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The poems I share on my website or social media are original or are regularly used at funerals and are presented to aid those researching poetry for use at their loved one's funeral service.. Wherever known, I do give credit and thanks to the author. If you know the author of any I have marked as ‘unknown’, then let me know, and I will amend the page.
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Many of these poems are original to me; please feel free to share those or use them if they seem right for your service. All I ask is that you give credit to me as the author.