A Poem for All Souls'--In Paradisum

The night is still; no noises in the air.

We walk in chilly silence down the nave.

The coffin on the dais, still and cold-

Dona Eis Requiem, Sempiternam.

The soul is on its way to Heaven now;

We heap black earth by spadeful on the grave.

A stone cross at the coffin's head will stand-

Dona Eis Requiem, Sempiternam.

Some prayers are uttered, softly, by the grave,

And silently the thurible is swung.

Grey smoke is blown like ashes on the wind-

Dona Eis Requiem, Sempiternam.

The moon shines brightly in the cloudless sky,

We turn to make our way quietly home;

From each of us but one last prayer is said;

Dona Eis Requiem, Sempiternam.

Maura Tuffy