February frost petals froze
one
by
one,
brittle tears of ice.
Their shards pierced my heart,
knowing that I had no part
in your funeral,
except
I wrote a poem and read it out loud,
proud
to be your daughter.
I blew my nose,
tried to expel the bitter-sweet notes
of Andrea Bocelli
(not my choice)
that reminded me that it was time
to say goodbye.
Kim M. Russell, 28th April 2025
It’s day twenty-eight, with just three days to go in this year’s NaPoWriMo, with the daily resource from El Museo del Barrio, a New York City museum focused on the experience of Puerto Ricans and Latin Americans in the United States.
The optional prompt reminds us that music features heavily in human rituals and celebrations: we play music at parties, in parades, and at weddings. In the example poem, ‘OBIT [Music]’, Victoria Chang describes the role that music played in her mother’s funeral.
Our challenge is to write a poem that involves music at a ceremony or event of some kind.
writing in north norfolk 
It’s beautiful, Kim. It’s hard to lose a parent.
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Thank you so much.
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Awww..😔😔😔 i can totally relate to this
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Thanks Mich.
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There is an underlying melancholy at not being included in the funeral planning that makes your poem doubly sad, Kim.
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Thank you, Nolcha. Luckily, the funeral celebrant had contacted me with the eulogy and I was able to correct some glaring mistakes, being the eldest daughter. I also asked if I could read a poem, to which he agreed. My youngest sister was seething when I got up to read it. She nearly had a fit when her eldest son and daughter-in-law came over and gave me a hug.
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