His Passing

By I. Horsburgh

Grandfather did not think much of the modern world. He found it tawdry. He left the undertaker strict instructions.

“I will be drawn to my grave by two black horses crowned with plumes. So-called ‘mourners’ in bright clothing will be turned away from the church.There will be dignity, solemn music, not some frightful popular anthem intended to be uplifting.  I do not want anyone uplifted, except for myself.”

We watched him drawn to his grave by two black horses, crowned with plumes.

“I had assumed,” I said to Mother, “that there would be a coffin?”

“And a hearse,” she said.