After Father Died 1968 Poem by Terry Collett

After my father died
they brought his body back
in an open coffin
to stay over night
in our chilled front room.

He looked peaceful
lying there
no longer racked by cancer
no longer in pain
just at peace
no lines on face
no furrowed forehead
from worry and anxiety
just wax like smooth
and a sense of calm
unknown since his life began.

I stood looking down at him
taking in his waxen face
his dark brows neatly trimmed
his sealed lips pinkish white
his greying hair combed
into a neatness as if
for a wedding or funeral.

I kissed his
chilled forehead
with lips
sensed him loss to us
in another place.

I moved back and stood
and stared and said goodbye
with love and tear in eye.