they laid him to rest today
Pastor John
they laid him down - lowering him
into the sacred ground, the ground
he guarded for over thirty years
ground nourished, ground fed by hundreds of souls
and millions of tears
they laid him to rest today
Pastor John
they laid him down, and said a prayer
that the Lord bless this mere man - immortal
down, next to the flock he knew so well
their hopes, their dreams, their fears -their
mortal hells -
the ground opened its arms wide, wide as they
lay him down, the sun warmed this
his resting place, this graced, sacred ground ..and
a cloud bent down to kiss the grave
of this blessed soul and earthly knave
the angels wept, his soul swept away
Yes, we laid Pastor John down to rest
this day.....
bkmackenzie
copyrighted 2010
Posted for Magpie Tales #31
So sad. The line that touched me: "cloud bent down and kiss the grave".
ReplyDeletethank you CM - this was a rough one...so many directions to go...this finally seemed right...not the best but ...it is posted....maybe this is one I will have to redefine and spend more time with ...and really do it right....blessings...bkm
ReplyDeleteThis beautiful and touches the soul. I am sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteOh I did not loose anyone - it is just a writing prompt...thank you anyweay Square Corner...bkm
ReplyDeletei love the olde feel of this, very well done.
ReplyDeletemy mag will be up tomorrow.
Tis beautifully and sadly written, as if you did know this man. You write well.
ReplyDeleteprobably knew him through various people -- Pastor John is just a symbol of one of those good pastors who just does his work and is never noticed beyond his own little town...bkm
ReplyDeletethis reads like a prayer
ReplyDeletevery touching and beautiful...well done
note:
his resting place, this graced, *sarced* ground
the r and c in sacred are transposed. :)
Rene
thanks rene...sometimes i am to much in a hurry...blessings...bkm
ReplyDeletewhew a stirring poem..love the cloud dipping down to kiss the earth...reading your comment, i think a good pastor may be just as happy with that outcome...as it is really not about them...
ReplyDeletethis is so beautifully written - 'the angels wept, his soul swept away' - lovely words.
ReplyDeleteI also liked "a cloud bent down to kiss the grave" I seem like this could be a great song...
ReplyDeleteThat is incredible! I just love the way the earth opens up to bring him in. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteBkm
ReplyDeleteDrenched in grace for those who give themselves to the community. Unique take and an experience in itself to read
i loved the "ground fed by a hundred souls"... didn't ever see a cemetery in that particular way!
ReplyDeleteGreat piece, beautiful imagery, makes you wonder if the pastor got the eternal rest he deserved.
ReplyDeleteWonderfully written ... I almost miss Pastor John myself!
ReplyDeleteAaaaaaw! He sounded alright, too, did Pastor John! Nice Maggie!
ReplyDeletea cloud bent down to kiss the grave
ReplyDeleteof this blessed soul and earthly knave
What lovely words-sad but lovely.
Great Magpie
This is beautiful. Our Pastor (whose name was John) did just pass last year so this was a bit eery for me to read yet comforting as well. BTW, I tagged you in a short meme which you can find HERE feel free to do if you like, or if not, no worries! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Classic.
ReplyDeleteThis has the rhythm of a spiritual. Wonderfully evocative--I love the cloud bending down to kiss the grave. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteVery profound.. the pastor got his rightfully deserved honor and a resting place with peace.. very calming...Last paragraph was awesome !!
ReplyDeleteNice one bkm. I was at a big country funeral last week and it was much as you described. The community came in droves to farewell a big personality and a friend to many. I too liked the image of "the ground opened its arms wide"
ReplyDeleteOh, the cadence of this piece is just wonderful! Lovely, lovely.
ReplyDeleteVery nicely written - love the rhyme and rhythm of this!
ReplyDeleteA very warm and moving read!
ReplyDeleteFor all the good he did, he deserved a beautiful farewell.. and he got one! And he was welcomed with wide arms into the earth.. I am sure that brought him the peace he had earned during his lifetime..
A beautifully constructed poem here, bkm.. thanks for sharing!
I love the repitition in this one...truly beautiful! :-)
ReplyDelete