The Man in the Hall

Clink of glass

Clatter of plate

Coals burn brightly

In the grate.

*

“Mummy, who’s that man?

He’s in the hall”

The small voice calls

above the din.

*

“Mummy, who’s that man?”

“Something to eat?”

“A sandwich or an ice?’

‘The ham is really very nice”.

*

“Mummy, who’s that man in the hall?

He’s wearing a long brown dress.”

Aunts and Uncles trail in;

Sad and distressed.

*

The service finished,

Burial over

The wake begins.

*

Ambivalent about the sad release

They stand and share

Grandpa stories.

*

A secret no less

But in the Will;

And except for two,

No one knew his last request.

*

His wish to be buried

Laid to rest ,

Dressed,

In the habit

Of the lay Franciscan.

*

“Mummy, who’s that man in the hall?”

“Grey haired and pale ,

He looks like Grandpa!”

a.a.hardy

Copyright 1997

all rights reserved

157 words