Old Man at Wife's Gravesite Courtesy of London Daily Mail

Vigil

Old man sits at his wife's gravesite.

Impervious to the weather, the night sounds,

and his own comfort, till dawn's first light.

His tears run freely as the October rain,

that runs down his face, cleansing,

his guilt and his long-standing shame.

As the sun rises and warms his body,

the determined old man falls asleep,

unable, his vigil, his body, to keep.

The caretaker discovers the old man,

and fearing for his life, calls 911.

Paramedics find him, squinting in the sun.

Paramedics inquire into his aims.

"I'm okay. I will not go." He proclaims.

"I'm on the vigil for my wife and two kids."

"I killed them while drunk driving,

a long time ago. It is time for me to,

join them… Time for me to go."

They checked out his vitals,

everything was okay.

The old man refused to leave.

Of course, got his own way.

For days the caretaker,

watched over him and,

brought water and food.

But the old man was stubborn,

and would not be moved.

A cold front came through,

and the caretaker had to leave.

But he worried all night,

of the old man's plight.

Arriving the next morning,

the old man was dead.

Hugging the gravestone,

as though resting his head.

On the gravestone an inscription,

that told the caretaker a lot,

"My Loving Wife and Two Children"

Interred on This Spot.

The old man's will stated it quite clear,

that he wanted to be buried,

next to his family he still held dear.

Copyright © 2019 Ronald W. Hull

11/21/19

You can read and print this poem at my website here.