Police - Trilogy 3 - The Identification Poem by Paul Warren

We go to the viewing room
It is stark and the family will be there soon
The bright light won't hide the hole
So we put a white towel around his head whole

The white sheet covers his body
The family is left in the lobby
The only sound is of quietly sobbing
We explain what will happen - then walking

So we open the door and file in
Once all are in the door closes to begin
Gently I go to the barouche and fold back the sheet
The father says it's his son and the identification is complete

The family want to be with him to let their grief begin
I nod yes moving to the background in the room within
I watch a mother stroke softly and caress his face
Kissing a bloody forehead trying for the violence to displace

© Paul Warren Poetry