Absence
by Henry Burt Stevens
6/15/2004

Those sentient
and available
assembled June 16
at All Souls
Episcopal Church
to honor the
cremains of
May Clark Stevens.

The central flowers on
either side of the urn
were from families of
the two sons,
one deceased,
while the daughter's family
wreath surrounded the urn
with white flowers.

Absent besides unavailable
were the predeceased,
a legion, but included
husband Joseph Kent Stevens
brother Francis Atwood Clark
son Murray Kent Stevens
May's Mother and Father
May's mother-in-law
Bertha Reese Stevens.

Noted for the record:
some of these people
despite appreaance
are not genetically related
rather, an assemblege
by legal adoption
sealed in love.

After, the cremains were
transported to Pleasant
View Cementery
and inserted in the earth
behind the headstone
May C Stevens 1908,
"2004" to be added soon.

May's unequivocal conviction
of joining Joe, Murray and Francis
awaits public confirmation,
in the meantime, the assembled
retired to the family home
on Congress Street for
comfort, food and socialbility.