The Obituary

In the end it boils down to one column in the local paper

It was so strange
His whole life
In a single column
Properly typed
Clean lines
Simple facts
Truth without the clutter.

It was so strange
To see him
So concise
And cold
He seemed so common
So ordinary
Truth without the life.

It was so strange
No mention of the ghosts
Riding in white
Wrapped in dark
Bring the fire of Christ
To their heathen home
Truth without the terror.

It was so strange
No mention of the ghosts
Answering a call
Wrapped in the flag
Boy turned to man
In the mud stained red
Truth without the horror.

It was so strange
No mention of the ghosts
Silent strength
Burying himself
Raising his own
Never understanding himself
Truth without the weakness.

It was so strange
His life reduced
Evaporated
Condensed
Listed and ordered
No one would know him
Like we knew him
Truth within the story.