Old Friend

It's a short ride from the funeral hall
Just down the road and to the right
The procession is slow and deliberate

The police blocking the intersections
Can see through the windshield
A graying solitary man suddenly distraught

It must be the ceremony nearing its end
Or the rain drops beading on the glass
Regardless, the sorrow is now unleashed

Grabbing the umbrella, as it will be needed
Calming the emotions on the walk to the tent
There will be those who will want to talk

Thankfully, the bearers work quickly
And the speaker efficiently begins
As the gray world shrinks into background

The covering tree was planted years ago
Quite simply for this final occasion
It will need the rain now pouring down

It seems that the large crowd dispersed
Somewhere during this eternal storm
And somehow my shoes are soaking wet

It was an obligation to remain, though
To stand there alone in the deluge
To see this thing through to the end

Even the tree could not help but weep
For today, was a sorrowful day
That the heavy skies could not deny