Wes Magee

1939 / Greenock, Scotland

Until Gran Died

The minnow I caught
Lived for a few days in a jar
Then floated side-up on the surface.
We buried them beneath the hedge.
I didn't cry,
But felt sad inside.
I thought
I could deal with funerals
That is
Until Gran died.
The goldfish I kept in a bowl
Passed away with old age.
Mum wrapped him in a newspaper
And we buried him next to the rose bush
I didn't cry,
But felt sad inside.
I thought
I could deal with funerals
That is
Until Gran died.
My cat lay stiff in a shoebox
After being hit by a car.
Dad dug a hole and we buried her
Under the apple tree.
I didn't cry,
But felt very sad inside.
I thought
I could deal with funerals
That is
Until Gran died.
And when she died
I went to the funeral
With relations dressed in black.
They cried, and so did I.
Salty tears ran down my face.
Oh, how I cried.
Yes, I thought
I could deal with funerals
That is
Until Gran died.
She was buried in a graveyard
And even the sky wept that day.
Rain fell and fell and fell
And thunder sobbed far away across the town.
I cried
And I cried.
I thought
I could deal with funerals
That is
Until Gran died.
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