there was some confusion that day
not unusual for my family

mom was finally done with pain
every foible of her life, over

while i listened to dad fussing
with some small detail or other

that had delayed him. he complained
that she had always told him

he would be late to his own funeral
and now he was on the verge of

being late to her burial. didn't help
that the funeral was in my hometown

the interment in his - an hour away
two lane road not meant for speed

so back to the story - by tradition
the casket was to be positioned

with her head to the west so that
come resurrection day, when she arises

she would face the glorious return
of the Son of God, descending in the east

and somehow in the process of getting 
the casket out of the hearse and placed

over the open grave, someone mentioned 
that they thought that maybe, possibly

it had been turned around. by accident
of course, but that couldn't be ignored

so the next five minutes were spent 
arguing about which end was which

when all was settled, down my mother went
to wait quietly for the prophesied time

to this day, i don't remember who won
the discussion, but it will be no surprise

if she comes up facing west after all
that's just how things go with my family
                        

Every line must end correctly here,
Every verb be in a perfect tense.
It's been so long since I last read your voice
And if I had my way, my simple choice
Would be to trim the distance (too immense)
Between us, make you miles and miles more near.
And then, come autumn wind or winter snow,
I'd see you wave and smile before I go.