The Tangled Branch Discussion Forums

Death, like interviews after a football match
is a marsh of cliche and simile. 
I scream silent in protest, yet when forced
drivel with the best of them,
'Wasn't it a kindness in the end,
but wasn't he as brave as a lion'

When I go, tell me as I was,
my wife knows.
Some meagre comfort on the funeral day
might be appreciated. 
The biggest sin was always dishonesty 
she hates lies, mine were always white
or whiteish.
 
I have eulogised others,
embellished them far beyond their worth
in vast swathes of whitewash,
and if I'm lucky enough to live longer
than all the other bastards I know
I'll sharpen the pen, and
from the pulpit
before God
I'll tell the truth.

For my children's sake
I hope I die before my wife! 
 

Colm - well spoken, well written.  Maybe one of those "bastards" will get the chance to eulogize you, honestly... 

Aj

Aj, I did say 'if I'm lucky enough to live longer than them' 
Thanks for the like 
 

Love the opening: 
"Death, like interviews after a football match
is a marsh of cliche and simile."

Perhaps add lines from interviews after a football match?

Also like whiteish/whitewash images/words.

Poem turns in 3rd stanza:

I have eulogised others,
embellished them far beyond their worth
in vast swathes of whitewash,
and if I'm lucky enough to live longer
than all the other bastards I know
I'll sharpen the pen, and
from the pulpit
before God
I'll tell the truth.

So I'm understanding it as the speaker used to give whitewashed eulogies, but now wants to or will give honest ones.  But why this change?

Hi poet-e 
The catalyst for this was my wife's obsession for honesty and the boredom of attending so many funerals with generic eulogies. From what I hear we are surrounded by saints 
One of my close friends is itching to eulogise me. I know he 'likes' my wife, won't tell me what he'd say, but I have my suspicions 
You might have noticed I do tend to write about death, so much so that I often start with a 'nice' line...then it all falls into a grave 
Thanks for the read     
 

You can have a pre-death wake, or fake your death....