Painting By Numbers

 

This is the poem I composed and read at my father's funeral

Painting by Numbers

(Alternative Title - 'What is Truth?')

Painting by numbers page after page
Yet missing the detail, age upon age
'All life is suffering', spoke the eastern sage
While a pensive man mooted, 'What is Truth?'

Surfing the spiral up to Heaven's shore
Elysian Fields beckon, 'Now we are free'
Pilgrim to nowhere, bound by a bond
In knowing, we know nothing. How can that be?

See there the colours, nailed to the mast
Is this the man who held to them fast?
Soldier before me with medals adorned
Through grim pain and sorrow you've earned your reward

Break open my heart and see what pain lies there
Shake Eden's portals and have a care
What is the meaning of all we've been through?
Rise Haniel's chariot to lands of brighter hue.

Deep fissures of grief spew forth their bitter fruits
How can I mourn, bare threads of love so torn?
Beware the beguiler who preys on the meek
Once proud temples lie in ruins for that which I seek

What am I to make of what is left behind?

How, in Heaven's name, can this be thought kind?
Rail 'neath leaden skies - echo out my rage
Ever to be free of that malignant cage

Painting by numbers time after time
Yet denying the detail, rhyme upon rhyme
'All life is suffering', spoke the eastern sage
While a pensive man mooted, 'What is Truth?'