Saturday, September 11, 2010

Laid to Rest





















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

28 comments:

  1. So sad. The line that touched me: "cloud bent down and kiss the grave".

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  2. thank 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

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  3. This beautiful and touches the soul. I am sorry for your loss.

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  4. Oh I did not loose anyone - it is just a writing prompt...thank you anyweay Square Corner...bkm

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  5. i love the olde feel of this, very well done.

    my mag will be up tomorrow.

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  6. Tis beautifully and sadly written, as if you did know this man. You write well.

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  7. probably 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

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  8. this reads like a prayer
    very touching and beautiful...well done

    note:
    his resting place, this graced, *sarced* ground

    the r and c in sacred are transposed. :)

    Rene

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  9. thanks rene...sometimes i am to much in a hurry...blessings...bkm

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  10. whew 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...

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  11. this is so beautifully written - 'the angels wept, his soul swept away' - lovely words.

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  12. I also liked "a cloud bent down to kiss the grave" I seem like this could be a great song...

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  13. That is incredible! I just love the way the earth opens up to bring him in. Lovely.

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  14. Bkm
    Drenched in grace for those who give themselves to the community. Unique take and an experience in itself to read

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  15. i loved the "ground fed by a hundred souls"... didn't ever see a cemetery in that particular way!

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  16. Great piece, beautiful imagery, makes you wonder if the pastor got the eternal rest he deserved.

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  17. Wonderfully written ... I almost miss Pastor John myself!

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  18. Aaaaaaw! He sounded alright, too, did Pastor John! Nice Maggie!

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  19. a cloud bent down to kiss the grave
    of this blessed soul and earthly knave
    What lovely words-sad but lovely.
    Great Magpie

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  20. 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.

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  21. This has the rhythm of a spiritual. Wonderfully evocative--I love the cloud bending down to kiss the grave. Thank you.

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  22. Very profound.. the pastor got his rightfully deserved honor and a resting place with peace.. very calming...Last paragraph was awesome !!

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  23. Nice 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"

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  24. Oh, the cadence of this piece is just wonderful! Lovely, lovely.

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  25. Very nicely written - love the rhyme and rhythm of this!

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  26. A very warm and moving read!
    For 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!

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  27. I love the repitition in this one...truly beautiful! :-)

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