Waiting beside a friend’s coffin
I was afraid of catching your eyes,
Of seeing the painful trembling of your lips
Which I have kissed in some room only yesterday.
I felt guilty, waiting erect
Beside the deceased
One by one my friends are dead and gone
Leaving behind them an age of grief.
Yesterday I gave you a rose, you were happy
Now I put a rose on this coffin
Side by side, strange and absurd
They flapped their wings and flew away.
Waiting beside a friend’s coffin
You and I sat through the whole night
Recalling what our generation lived through
One by one, a child plucked
all the roses in us.
Leonard Durso 
Most interesting. I found myself speculating about their relationship — so many possibilities — and of course picking up on the underlying rumination on love and death. Like it.
It’s an interesting poem on several layers. Unfortunately not much is available in English of his other work. I originally posted it on the date of his death, which gave it an extra bit of poignancy.
An intense and sad poem. The last two lines are gripping. Thanks for sharing it.
You are most welcome. I’m glad you found it moving.
Am hesitant to “Like” this given the gravity. The last two lines are so powerful.
I know what you mean. The “like” button sometimes doesn’t seem to accurately reflect one’s reaction to a piece but it’s all we have to acknowledge something that moves us.
Sonds like something we’ll be going through…sooner or later. A sad COMPLEX POEM…!
Yes, I agree.