beyond the pale

family and friends gathered today
it seemed the only gloom in the room
came from the paid mourners
we visited
gave our last respects to her still form
we enjoyed each other's company
i overheard a pastor comment on the laughter among the lot
he said it was good to hear in a time like this
there was laughter
hugs and cheek kissing
life's collection of loved ones
coming by to say goodbye
to someone already gone
as always
nothing remains but the remains
only the outer shell emptied
of a beautiful creature now gone
flown away
beyond the pale
later we carried the box to the hole
quietly praised our Creator for her life
her gifts
her love
we acknowledged eternity
we acknowledged salvation and death
death and salvation
as i peered down into the red clay depth
pondering this final cradle
two saints spoke
saying there is more
we do not do this for the dead
we do this for the living
we do this to give God glory
that there is more to all this
than mortal toil
there is more
more than breath
more than earth
but rather more beyond
i hope that when i die
that more people will come to laugh
over those that come to cry
i hope that when i die
i leave enough stories behind
for my collection of loved ones
to laugh and remember the time
and beyond all hope
that God is glorified
another soul leaving mortal bonds for glory
i know that there is more
in me
about me
beyond me
that will live beyond the grassy hill
beyond that red clay cradle