What happens when "emgergent" ages and we are faced with more rituals of death and dying? Here's a poem that reflects on this after reading Rollins.
deus ex machina
They sat on sofas
in front of the assembled
fold of friends and relatives.
The walls, papered in a
green 1950’s floral pattern,
told the story of layered grief.
A hush came over the
room like thick fog shadowing
over the valley of death.
For now it was time
for the words of
comfort to be offered
up to the gods
like incense in a
dark ancient temple
by the minster who
no one knew, least of
all the deceased
who never was
much of a church goer
but by all accounts
a wonderful father
beloved husband
and really good fisherman.
“Let not your heart be
troubled and
be not afraid.”
The words were lowered
onto grief’s stage
like a deus ex machina
in a bold yet tired
attempt to resolve
death’s plot.
The tragedy, yes
that is what death
must always be,
accompanied
the corpse into
the grave.
Bereft of music and
the mourners groan,
Eloi, Eloi, lama sabach-thani?
true consolation
was not to be found
despite the well
intentioned benediction,
words of peace, that
rose with the incense-
an offering
to an unknown
god.
hmm interesting
i hope you are wrong and death must not always be that!
Posted by: tadd | October 22, 2011 at 04:04 PM
Death must always be tragedy first... in order for the new to come.
There is no way around the cross and our best attempts to cover over the stench of abandonment, with belief, is a futile attempt (a deus ex machina) that thwarts the light of dawn.
Inspired by Rollins' Insurrection. Book group forming soon. I ordered a copy for you, but not in time for your Birthday.
Posted by: Terry Chapman | October 22, 2011 at 04:16 PM