In Absentia

I gave then Elgar's Nimrod

As they bore the coffin in.

Children and grandchildren 

And other next of kin

Filled the first two rows

To music Ethel chose.

 

The vicar read a tribute

To Ethel's humble life;

She'd had her times of happiness,

She'd known her share of strife.

She'd always done her best,

And now she was at rest.

 

Working as a landgirl

She'd helped to keep us fed

When Hitler tried to starve us

And cut off our daily bread.

She'd found her other half

In childhood sweetheart Ralph.

 

Devoted wife and mother

Always putting family first;

Ever optimistic

Never fearing the worst.

She had battled on

Until her strength was gone.

 

I felt I'd got to know her

By the time the service ended

I later heard that at the grave

Something unintended;

As they moved the flowers

The plaque read Edward Towers!

 

Of the drama that unfolded

I was wholly unaware

As I reached the final cadence 

Of The Londonderry Air;

Music she'd held dear

She'd not been there to hear!

 

(The names used in this poem are fictitious)