In My End Is My Beginning
for Sir Clement T. Maynard

I too could expire soon
exhausted enough to drop,
to stop rather than keep on pushing

casket with Sir Clement
in long black hearse, in long procession
along the streets down town

was he deaf or could he hear
things said of him at his funeral

could he hear the organ music, hear the sermon

was he somewhere in the elevated ceiling
of Christ Church Cathedral, looking down
or on his back in his box in his best clothes
his suit and tie, his shoes and socks

how unlike when he lived, how tall he walked
how tall he stood, how straight

unaware the will power required just to stand
until we can no longer, when we have to lie down

effort it takes to breathe air
until it gets so difficult, we have to give in,
give up, shut off

our heart and all else shutting down as well
shutting up shop when evening comes

but when work is done, when labor is finished
when it’s time for reward

eulogies, flowers, farewell
dressed to take a trip to heaven
without life to be able to travel light

he’s all light now, he’s all right now
who he touched while alive
have so many things to recall
so many stories to tell


© Obediah Michael Smith, 2009
8:06 p.m. 14.10.09