Yesterday I was at a funeral
An American funeral
The Funeral of an American Priest
One born and brought up in New York
I have been to other funerals, though
In America not, and not of Priests.
It was wonderful to see
The Church overflowing
With all that one heard of Priestly
Abuse of minors and court cases
It was indeed a surprise to find
The Church was well in attendance
From the Bishop (John the Auxiliary)
To the faithful present in full
A retinue of altar servers – boys and girls
In toe in black and white.
A procession of twenty priests or more
Around a priest prematurely gone
Only 56, four years younger.
The value of someone in principle
Dedicating to a cause beyond
Oneself – a priest – one living in common
Vowed to seek perfection – a religious.
It was indeed a celebration of a life – moved on
From this shore to the next.