IKE MORAH
(1948-- )
Pharmacist, Poet
Maryland Senior Poet Laureate 2004
Baltimore, Maryland

AT THE BURIAL OF JOHN DOE



I heard the knell tolled for his parting soul
Sonorous and solemn it came from the spire.
I saw the crowd surge towards the church,
In silence they paced with hearts on fire.

Doleful came the requiem songs,
They came in hushed voices from the choir.
I saw the priest lead the procession,
His robe was black and he sang with the choir.

Standing by the grave in full attire,
The eulogy he gave on previous heroic tests.
He did illuminate on the path he could take--
Through a path we could only but guess.

The vines hung from the drooping boughs
Not far from the moss o'ergrown tombs.
Now greener from the lifting fogs
he o'ercast morn' made the sun seem like moon.

Silence was the code of conduct here
As speechless and motionless they stood in awe.
So silent it was I could hear my beats
As the spooks were in their morning naps.

Sorrow some throbbing pains did bring
As anguish helped to mourn this nascent dead.
Swollen eyes were moistened with tears
Arising from the heart aches and throbbing heads.

Blossom heads on the casket their love did show
While the pastor praise and flattery did add
For no matter what one had been in life
Death heroism oftener adds.

In mute grief oft with dismay interlaced
Many moped unseeing but hushed
In hushed whispers many did speak
Afraid to make this soul to blush.

Apart from sighs and receding moans
Lips to shatter the silence did scare unheard
As the cows did pause in their moos
And with secret awe did mourn the dead.

Then came a loud caw from the raven there
Which did scare this new found silence.
In a strong and sonorous tone he cawed
As he escorted this soul to his world of silence.

With tempers high and hearts broken
The mourners their heads did bow to the scene;
Blushing from the rustic life he'd lived with us,
The pastor blessed the corpse and left unseen.

Ike Morah