“Advanced Planning Services for Funerals”
blinked the signboard
as if
apologizing for its own presence
the casket and the flowers- check
the obituary and a tombstone – check
the wine and the music – check
the prayers and the rabbi – check
a guestbook – maybe?
photographs – beyond budget!
I walked in
the ghostly white lady at the front desk
smiled up at me
Do you have a survivor’s guide?
Does it explain the process of saying the last goodbye?
Do you have a coaching class for someone
who has not been able to bid goodbye?
not in an authentic honest way
even yet, many years later
She looked back at me, and said “sorry”
I walked out
and back beyond the blinking lights
Is there even a need to say a goodbye?
Does the funeral code of conduct
or
the survivor’s checklist
get violated if one chooses not to?
Who cares anyways
I don’t think I ever will
because there are no goodbyes
When you love someone
it does not matter where they are
because it is “till we meet again”
Kashiana 