The Funeral | Cyprus Poems

Funeral Candles

Death was brutal.

The child gasped for air

but there was none.

Mamma closed her eyes

bathed her in lavender

and dressed her in a shroud.

Roses and carnations

frankincense and jasmine

the scent of burning censers

laments and flaxen light.

Yet grief is all deceiving.

She is only sleeping they cry.

But the child is dead.

She will never hear her mamma's cries;

she will never see the tears in her papa's eyes.

Her light goes out

chants and burning incense

closed doors and blinds rolled down

a final look;

a gift of soil;

a slice of bread;

a glass of oil;

and through the open earth

she vanishes into the arms of death.

Part of the cycle of poems thirteen silk verses

A few words about the poem…

The Funeral, A Poignant Elegy of Loss and Farewell – from The Cyprus Poems

"The Funeral," a death and grief poem within the cycle "Thirteen Silk Verses" paints an evocative tableau of farewell. Through its solemn tone, the poem reveals the deeply human responses to a young person’s death, echoing the enduring traditions of Cyprus. The verses guide readers into an atmosphere steeped in grief and ritual, unfolding the complex layers of a final parting.

The poem, from the larger collection Cyprus Poems, opens with the raw impact of death itself: "Death was brutal. The child gasped for air, but there was none." In these lines, death emerges as an unrelenting force, blunt and inescapable, claiming the child's breath and life. This grim finality, simply stated, creates an immediate confrontation with mortality, setting the stage for a scene that will resonate profoundly with those familiar with grief.

The mother’s ritualistic acts embody both tradition and profound care, as she bathes her child in lavender and dresses her in a shroud—a final gesture of love that bridges the gap between life and death. These actions, almost sacred in their simplicity, present a gentle contrast to the cruelty of death. They provide a bittersweet moment of solace, a testament to the strength of a parent's love that endures even as life ebbs away.

Through layered imagery, the poem recreates the sensory essence of a funeral steeped in Cypriot tradition: roses and carnations, the rich scents of frankincense and jasmine, and the soft glow of flaxen light. This blend of aromas and hues captures the cultural and emotional gravity of Greek Orthodox funeral rites, offering the reader an immersive glimpse into the solemn rituals of mourning. The burning censers and lamenting voices carry an ancient, almost spiritual weight, transforming the scene into a sacred, timeless tableau of farewell.

In the mourners' words, “She is only sleeping they cry,” there lies a piercing paradox. This refrain of denial encapsulates a universal wish to soften the blow of loss, to reimagine death as a gentle sleep rather than a permanent separation. The poem does not merely dwell on death's finality but touches on this subtle interplay between hope and despair, mirroring the human heart’s reluctance to let go.

The poem's conclusion underscores the finality of parting. With “a gift of soil; a slice of bread; a glass of oil,” the girl’s body is consigned to the earth, vanishing into the depths, while the mourning family witnesses her descent into the afterlife. This imagery, deeply rooted in Greek tradition, becomes a powerful representation of the cycle of life and the enduring rituals that help to shape and give meaning to grief. The earth embraces her as the chants echo, drawing a close to the sorrowful farewell and grounding the verse in a resonant acceptance of life’s ephemerality.

Analysis of Themes in the Poem

The themes of "The Funeral" intertwine death, love, and ritual, reflecting the cycle of life and the rites that surround it. The poem confronts death’s brutality yet juxtaposes it with the tenderness of final acts of care, exploring grief’s complexity. The theme of denial is also subtly woven in, as the mourners attempt to soften the reality of death with the hope of sleep.

Analysis of the Verse

The verse structure of "The Funeral" is economical yet profoundly expressive, employing short, declarative lines to reinforce death’s harshness. This restraint imbues the poem with a quiet dignity that mirrors the solemnity of the funeral scene. Phrasing is unembellished, allowing the potency of ritual and emotion to emerge without distraction.

Analysis of the Symbolism

Symbolism in "The Funeral" resonates deeply with Cypriot and Greek cultural heritage. The lavender, roses, and carnations symbolise the love and reverence of the living, while the censer's smoke links the earthly to the spiritual. The symbolic “slice of bread” and “glass of oil” carry cultural and religious significance, marking the child's entry into eternity.

Main Poetic Imagery

The poem’s imagery captures the sensory tapestry of a traditional Cypriot funeral, including the scent of frankincense, the sight of flowers, and the sound of mourning chants. These elements serve to deepen the reader's connection to the poem, blending the personal with the collective experience of loss and grounding it in the ancient customs of Cyprus.

Impact of Religious Symbolism

Religious symbolism pervades the poem, with the act of bathing the child and the presence of incense aligning with Greek Orthodox rites. The rituals enacted echo traditional beliefs, imparting a sense of continuity and peace amid grief. The offerings of bread, oil, and soil further invoke the sacredness of these customs, underscoring the connection between the physical and spiritual realms in the process of farewell.