The Eulogy Writer
70
The Eulogy Writer
The phone is back in it’s cradle. A moment ago only one word was needed. "No". That moment has passed.
"Ok, let’s see. What is there to say. Think, think. Um, ‘Like Will Rogers, she never meet a man she didn’t like.’ Oh, no, even though there were rumors, wait that won’t work in this case. Let’s see, let’s see."
Backing up, ‘who, what, when, where, why’ that’s it right, the formula? Wait, no, that’s not it, that’s something else. What’s this? Why did they call me? Make a note, change phone number.
***
Our sky is less crowded tonight, a spark kindled in another time and in another place shone bright for us and is now gone.
Each of us here, from near and far, sought her company, especially during times of holiday.
Any time we wished to feel the comfort of home we closed our eyes and thought of her.
She graced us with her breathtaking beauty.
Her grandeur captured our imagination
Her voice could be stern, but
Her warmth was generously given.
She delighted us with her charm
and invited us to dream
Yes, missing from our evening sky,
Her star descends at velocity
we stop, watch it streak across the sky and
make a wish
We gather here, all sizes, shapes and types,
To say goodbye to stars and stripes
vote upvote downshareprintflag
- Useful (5)
- Funny (1)
- Awesome (11)
- Beautiful (6)
- Interesting (2)
CommentsLoading...
Thank you BobbiRant. I recently published, then unpublished a hub that reminded me how many times I have done this. Too many. Thanks for stopping by I appreciate the visit.
It is interesting and impressive to get a glimpse of your visions. Very, very nice.
up/awesome
Hello Fay. That is so kind of you to say. I appreciate the up/awesome.
In Italian we say, "Only good people die.." because at funerals no one ever utters a critical word. Just once I'd like to hear, "She was a basically good person...but, boy, she could also be a bitch if you crossed her...!"
I'm assuming someone will say the second part...or something similar...at my memorial.
Hello THAT Mary Ann, you have had the wisdom to surround yourself with writers. The accolades will flow, wine will be served, your praises will be heralded. You will in the distant future, 'Rest Assured'
Mck,,Very nice..Sirius is the brightest star that shines during the winter months..I wish I was that smart but I looked it up lol..was this what you were referring to?
"sky is less crowded tonight, a spark kindled in another time and in another place shone bright for us and is now gone.Each of us here, from near and far, sought her company, especially during times of holiday."
You got me thinking..:)
Sunnie
OK, they said it couldn't be done. But I learned something today, Sirius is the brightest star, who knew!?
Since you ask, This is a eulogy for America.
I am glad, I read the comments first, before leaving my own. I thought - why did I have the feeling it was not about the person? America, she...
You may write the eulogy and somebody/something might be dead - but there is a long echo. America will have an awfully long echo - think about Greece.
I think countries have a tendency to transform... Greece is still there, so is Italy...
We are never happy with what we have and writing eulogies might be a good exercise.
But what if you were right, America was gone and you would end up somewhere else?
"In a hole like Toronto?" (don't worry, I am quoting, I don't think Toronto is that bad) or in Mexico?
After all we have a date over Margaritas ...
think about this poor woman - Margarita - 5 min? 10 min? 15 min? - she has been consumed and gone ... and only a memory is there and some slight drunkenness...
Eulogies are difficult to write. I've never written one for a family member, but have for friends. I think the emotion and writing has a synergy that produces some of your best writing.
It makes perfect since and when I re- read it.. I loved it even more..
Sunnie
Hello kallini2010. America is home to many people. The people born here have varying opinions about what she is. But many people from around the globe dream of the freedom and riches, and yes, lifestyle broadcast by Hollywood around the world. Perhaps even Americans born here are caught up in the image of America.
For about a decade now that feeling of ‘Home’, has been missing. More and more people in America are dissatisfied with what they see and hear.
I am not sure this piece ended up where I thought it was going. I guess I am expressing sadness that my country has changed into the Homeland, that instead of being honored citizens, we have all become suspects. That my family becomes smaller each year.
You speak of the echo of America, I find that
apropos. I find that clattering noise, the wheels of the undertakers cart hauling away what was once a nation.
A.A. Zavala thanks for stopping by. Yes, the task of a eulogy keeps you alert. I have written too many now. And don't know which is the worst fate.
Hello again Sunnie. As I said, I was not sure where this was going. It was prompted by the piece I published, then unpublished a few days ago. Spring is here so there will be more time in the garden and less time thinking.
Never thought about this as a subject but I am glad YOU did!
Hello Radioguy, great to have you stop by. Thank you, what a great compliment.
America is Home and you have honored her today!
Wow. Thank you Sunnie.
Funerals are my favorite events in life but can be made better by a good eulogizer who knows the subject.
The death of my nation will have to wait if you please.
Well done.
The Frog
The Frog Prince: At the funeral of insects, spiders and snails, the eulogy is always the same, ‘Let us prey.” :)
Oh Mckbirdbks, you are my favorite writer by far.
"Let us prey" ... *and the child inside giggles*
?
Hello mshell7272. Great to see you here today. And it is wise to keep that child inside giggling, otherwise it plots.
This was great. I enjoyed reading it.Thank you.
Hello, hello - how great to see you. I am glad you were able to stop by.
When I go I can't think of a better writer to quip my final remembrances. You are good. Yes, unfortunately I had to author an eulogy and it was truly a difficult task. PS Thanks for the nice note today. No world cruise; out of town guests. Thanks for noticing.
PegCole17: Hi. Thanks for the note. And it would be an unwelcome honor to pen remembrances. I am pretty sure I am way ahead of you in the race to the door.
As I read those last lines I thought....could this be a eulogy for America? Then I see you confirmed that in the comments...I fear your words could easily become a reality. WB
Hello Wayne, Thanks for stopping by. We don't agree on the 'Why" but there is evidence that our country could shatter. Mostly from absolute lunacy from our ‘so called leaders’. Thanks for the comment.
And when a human dies the microbes say 'yummy-yummy.' Methinks you are being a tiny bit pessimistic about the States of your country.
Hello J0hn: I have been told that from time to time I am a little pessimistic. The other times, they just don't talk to me. haha
Have a great weekend.
Really beautiful eulogy. I had to go back and re-read it after I saw it was about America. I was once at a funeral where the eulogizer (Is that a word?)talked about positive and negative characteristics of the deceased. People laughed because they knew it was the truth.
Hello Minnetonka Twin. Thanks for dropping by. Historically, (class clown) I am known for a line aimed at getting a laugh. When I am mysteriously asked to write a eulogy, I have to stiffle that. Even though that is the circumstance where a laugh is most needed. I appreciate the visit.
I knew at the last line that it was about our country. I also have felt outraged at what they are doing to MY country. I feel very possessive of her. My ancestors helped form her. They have guarded and fought for her in every single war. They have loved and worked for her and I love her also.If they do not like her, they can just leave her now.
Hello Becky. We in the U.S. are become diluted or watered down. The feeling of nation is systematically being torn down. There is a bigger agenda going on. The whole place is headed in a direction that the people are not going to like when we get there.
I love writing and giving a Eulogy.
It is a profound experience!
It is both chilling and a privilege to be asked and give a eulogy. Nice to meet you.
You are a stylist, of language, mckbirdbks!
Vinaya, that is a very nice compliment, thank you.
I enjoyed your humorous journalistic approach to introducing this poem. It reminded me of having to write obituaries when I worked at a newspaper. It is not the usual who, what, when, where, and why formula, that's for sure.
Then, when I read the actual poem, all humour disappeared. I felt this was a eulogy to a mother. It is so lovely and sad. Regards, snakeslane
Hello snakeslane. What a terrible task to have to write obituaries. It is high responibiity to be asked to write a eulogy. Very difficult. Thanks for the visit.
It was a difficult task, but I had a style manual that helped. It was more work tracking down personal information and a 'history' not knowing the person. It's a difficult time to 'interview' family members. A eulogy is a little different.
snakeslane, I am sure you did great. A eulogy is different more personal.
Dear Mike,
I was led here from the Cafe. I had never heard of the hottest, best and latest in the 'Topics' section.
I can easily see why this piece was voted one of the 'BEST'. Snakeslane likened this to the loss of a Mother, who can be the glue that holds a family together. In a country where as many as 1 in 9 kids go to bed hungry every night, it feels like 'our family is falling apart', like our 'Mother' is gone.
This feels very dignified and all too sad. Exceedingly well penned.
Voted UP & Awesome, mar.
Thank you mar. What a nice thing to say. I do appreciate your support.
this is terrific and warrants a second read and further pondering. Up and shared
Here I'm again, enjoying your beautiful work.
This is just beautiful!
Very nice, this is one the best things I've read on here. Beautiful and amazing.
PDXKaraokeGuy thanks for the visit. Second reads are scarce so thanks for that also.
Hello Vinaya, nice to see you here. Things at the hub have been busy. I'll pay your hubs a visit soon.
Hello AudreyHowitt, what a nice thing to say. Thanks.
Hello echoe0021. That is a very kind thing to say, thank you.
you're welcome, mckbirds
I'm back again to reread this deep and moving work and found your latest.
May God grant you many years to live,
For sure he must be knowing.
The earth has angels all too few.
And heaven is overflowing.
(Irish Blessing)
Hi Peg. Thank you for sharing such a nice sentiment with me. Hope all is going well.
BobbiRant Level 4 Commenter 13 months ago
Writing eulogy must be a very difficult task. This one is a good one. I really liked this hub.