As the funeral director
offered the closing
remarks with hands
folded as in prayer
and a pleasant smile,
he looked to the back
with a nod. No sooner
had the guests stood
and began making their
way past the casket
to the reception line,
two, dark suited men
began folding the
chairs. By the time
the line was done
the room was
empty except for
the flowers, which
the funeral director
instructed the men
to carry outside.
The procedure
was quick, efficient.
It was as if the
funeral had never
happened.