Attending

I see them standing at the door,
Eating cakes and cookies
Just like they did before
Silent shufflers remembering
All the years long gone
Too young, too young,
Such pain, terrible pain,
Wiping sad eyes,
Muttering quick goodbyes,
Attending to the memory
With sombre diligence
That is quickly forgotten
Within the swells of living
Why is it wise to attend?
Why is it wise to drink deep,
To open wide our mouths
And embrace the kiss of death?
Why is it wise to attend?
To mournfully mutter
And declare to the world
That the glow of youth
Was upon their cheeks
And O’ it is a shame
That pain became them.
Where God is not invited,
And the church becomes a tomb
As the resurrected life
And the blessed power of grace
Is denied acknowledgement.
Why is it wise to linger there?
To attend and lend your ears
Your fears, your tears,
To the embrace of death?
Why is it wise to embrace death
When the living God
Provides life beyond the grave?
Foolish shufflers attending to death
Stir your tongues to praise
Turn your hearts to God,
And run after the abundant life
For wise is the one who attends
To drink deep and satisfy themselves
At the banquet of the living of God.