Eulogy

It was said of them that they had lived 
full lives and surely they had, seamlessly 
but inevitably making their way to the apex. 
From that which is, to an infinite nothing,
their names preserved for local posterity 
in the parish records. They were vastly 
advanced in age, frail yet loving life. 
Among them the blind and the demented, 
their vital tools of life's enjoyment walkers
and wheelchairs. In the village their sons 
and daughters most grateful for the saving 
presence of the residence, where one attendant
would be present in night-time service to 
fifty deaf, blind and halt residents. Accidents 
do happen to spur the inevitable and after all, 
70, 80, 90, 100 years of life is a generous 
experience those attending the memorial service
for the thirty expired, sigh. Life happens, the 
placid dignity of a three-story wood structure 
sheltering the frail from inconvenience, 
exertion and familial strife in a busy world
truly a blessing. Life leads to death, the fire 
engulfing those unable to help themselves,
vaulted within their place of winter ice 
generously sprayed into existence by doughty 
firefighters. The flames that consumed wood 
and flesh alike bizzarely flickering hungrily still,
within the icy scaffold of death's dungeon.