'Greeting the Dead'

Willow wreath
A forearm wide
These earthly gifts
Place inside

Red wine warm
Like Life's own blood
Scented rose shorn
Yet in bud

Broken bread
With sweet of bee
Sprinkled with herbs
Savory

Candle black
In silence lit
To lure spirits
From their pit

Greet the dead
When midnight chimes
Present these gifts
Speak these rhymes

'I call the spirits
With my solemn breath
To awaken souls
From their death

'I offer these gifts
To make spirits strong
For while life is short
Death is long.'

Silently
Await the day
Snuff the candle
Turn away

©2006
Chas Bogan