Stop all the clocks......

Yesterday was the funeral of Jason's father. Jason was determined to read a particular poem as a tribute - you'll recognise it from 'Four Weddings and a Funeral'. I think he was brave to do it and I'm proud that he managed to get through it.

W.H. Auden: Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone

From "Twelve Songs"

IX.
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,
Put crêpe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood;
For nothing now can ever come to any good.