Chinese Funeral - NaPoWriMo # 30

Yin Poh-Poh laid on soft white satin
in her favourite black kwa with silver trimmings.
At her head, black and white drapes hung
in solemn like her family; her only son
and his ten year old son,
and her two daughters seated on a large straw mat
in front of floral gifts of condolence,
who took turns to feed a burning metal basin
with paper money and gold ingots.
At her feet, between two white burning candles,
her seventy year old smile greeted
relatives and guests who came to pay respects
with joss sticks and burned incense.

Cousin Li sat behind a wooden table
on the left side of the parlour,
and handed out candies in small red envelopes
to guests who came to offer contributions
toward funeral expenses as they partake
in the grief with whispered small talk,
tetra-pak drinks and dim-sum.

For two nights, three Taoist monks
were hired to chant prayers
and perform rites of burning money,
clothes, a house, maids, a car and a driver
for Poh-Poh's welfare in her next world.
There would also be music from gong,
flute and trumpet to accompany her
and family as they journey
to her final resting place in this world
and passage to the next.
And where, the master had promised
there would be good feng shui
for both the dead and alive.
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NaPoWriMo - 30 April 2006