The funeral rite concluded\rWith the pastor shaking hands,\rOffering words of comfort\rI didn't quite understand.

The undertakers came forth\rAnd summoned pallbearers' four.\rThey marched beside the coffin\rCarrying it steady toward the door.

I didn't cry or whimper\rAs I followed right behind.\rBut deep within I screamed\rDon't leave O Mother of mine.

Please don't go to the grave;\rLet's chat just one more time.\rLet's talk about the 'good old days'\rDon't leave, O Mother of mine."

But onward moved the casket\rDown the stairs to the limousine;\rWith Mother laying incognizant\rOf my agonizing scream.

As we rode toward the ossuary\rThoughts were swimming in my head;\rWhy didn't the whole world stop?\rDidn't it know my Mother was dead?

But the world kept 'bout its business\rAnd within I felt so sad,\r'Cause my Mother didn't get the honor\rI thought she should have had.

As we drove into the cemetery\rI knew it wouldn't be long,\rBefore I had to sing at last\rMy final farewell song.

I stood at the gravesite\rGrief festering in my breast:\rScriptures read, prayers prayed,\rMother committed to eternal rest.

Looking out the car's rear window\rAs we mutely drove away;\rI saw a heavenly angel fly\rTo where my Mother lay.

Then I knew that all was well,\rThat Mother was just fine.\rThat I would live and grow and serve\rUntil, alas, my time.

Thank you Lord for reassuring me\rThat the grave is not the end.\rThat Mother is patiently waiting for me\rJust around life's toilsome bend.

But now there's work I must perform\rThat no one else can do;\rSome hurting, aching souls to soothe,\rBroken dreams to help renew.

And in the process of reaching out\rTo brighten someone's day;\rI sense way deep within myself,\rThat I too will be okay.

Saundra L. Washington is the author of two coffee table books: "Negative Disturbances, Homilies that Teach," and the book from which this poem is taken, "Room Beneath the Snow, Poems that Preach." Looking out the Rear Window was written shortly following her mother's death. She can be contacted at: http://www.clergyservices4u.org