She was always there
And now she’s not
And so our life is changed
Nothing lasts forever
Things are rearranged
We stop and talk and wonder
We gather into crowds
Exchange of views and memories
Everything out loud
Service of remembrance
Thank God for her life
Guns in salvoes echoing
The bells of village life
Soldiers in their uniform
MPs in dark suits
Gun carriage and horses
Processions solemn walks
She was such a part of us
As her leaving us unfolds
We find ourselves now grieving
For whom do these bells toll?
This death writ large on our stage
Helps us understand
That all of us are journeying
Towards a promised land
Brian Fahy
9 September 2022
Erris Poetry 