Aunt Sedutha

by Larry Chamberlin   Oct 1, 2017




I always remember my aunt
with a black veil over her face;
worn in church, most notably
at funerals - often attended,
with me forced for company.

It took years to realize the black
spots in my image of her face
were the decorations in the lace,
not indications of decrepitude
presaging her own demise.

Her own funeral was attended
by so many thankful mourners,
returning her favor of attendance,
that we spent three days serving
hogsheads cheese at her wake.

She knew so many dead people
that getting to the afterlife
must seem like homecoming;
for myself it meant finally
the last funeral ever attended.

4


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Latest Comments

  • 6 years ago

    by Brenda

    Larry, what a memory! Your dear aunt, dragging you to every funeral there was. I really loved the way you wrote this-a bit tongue in cheek. Well done-

  • 6 years ago

    by Michael

    Hi Larry,

    Such a dark comedy in this piece, a child's perspective of an aunt who sounds like she enjoyed funerals! I wonder why? was it because your aunt wanted to ensure a good turn-out or her own?..or other reasons?

    And in the end it did sound like a huge event, thus paying off her investment, and your last funeral too with your aunt you attended.

    thought provoking, and a pleasure to read :)

    Michael

  • 6 years ago

    by Mark

    Great write sir. Stanza two is beautiful.
    'Spots in my image of her face
    Were decorations in the lace'

  • 6 years ago

    by Em

    This is extremely powerful, and raw and honest with a tinge of beautiful sadness about it.

    Take care Larry.
    Em

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