Poem about celebrating the life of an Irishman following his death |
Death of an Irishman Mournful notes from bagpipes played by kilted men all wearing the same tartan of their clan waft heavenwards. White cliffs, pastures of lavender heather, fields of fragrant clover, and pure azure skies frame the open grave ready to receive the body of their brother. The beauty of his still youthful face, accentuated with his tartan and sword the brave kinsman is laid to rest as each one lays a white marble rock to forever mark his grave. “May he be with the fairies and hunt dragons with the leprechauns in the magical place found beyond the rainbow” is the eulogy and the bagpipes play a soulful Gaelic hymn. Bundles of heather are laid atop the startling white of the marble the sweet fragrance of lavender envelops the mourners in a comforting grace. Because the miss him they openly weep, as they leave the serenity of such beauty traveling quietly back to their village to where the next part of the funeral takes place in the pub. Tall tankards of Guinness are passed to all, then raised high with their toasts to their brother as they celebrate his life on earth and his journey to his after-life. The fiddler stands as his fiddle sings a joyful jig and their lively jumping with intricate movements of feet makes beautiful motions of their dresses and kilts. They continue to dance and raise toasts the night through because death is not the end of man’s journey but is a part of continuous celebration of life. |