A LONELY BURIAL

 One morning a call came from the local mortician.

He said he had received a body from a physician.

Would I conduct a burial service for a lady no one knew?

Her body would be in a wooden coffin nailed shut from view.

He would have it carried to the cemetery and placed by the grave.

She had died alone with no one to save.

She was homeless without a name, just a body with no one to care.

She died penniless so there would be no fare.

“Of course, I will do it” I said to the man, 

I will give her a burial the best way I can.”

I took my 3 daughters with me who sang,

            “Rock of Ages Cleft for Me, 

            Let Me Hide Myself in Thee.” 

I read from my Bible John 11:25 

And said that this woman may still be alive! 

When we took our leave, 

—there was no one to grieve, 

But I heard a sound

—a man had had been watching near the mound. 

A husband? A friend? We will never know 

While we are still living here below.

Ron Blough/a true experience