You don’t go
before your time …

Words that I often hear
from Mammy
when someone dies
very young
or unexpectedly.

You don’t go
before your time …

Words that played
in my head
when my friend died
in a tragic accident
only last year.

You don’t go
before your time …

Words that have been playing
in my head
since hearing
that my friend’s husband
has died
leaving behind
a grown-up son
and a young teenage daughter.

You don’t go
before your time …

Words that played
in my head
constantly
after the recent deaths
of ten men, women
and children
in an explosion
in Creeslough.

You don’t go
before your time …

Words that play
in my head
as I ponder the fact
that Almighty God
in his infinite wisdom
chose to call home
my friend and her husband
at a relatively young stage
of their lives –
a decision that my tiny mind
can’t even begin
to fathom.

You don’t go
before your time …

Words that play around
in my head
as I sit at breakfast,
my mind full
of my friend, her husband
and her two children.
I ponder Mammy’s words
which are supposed to reassure
and yet
I can’t help but feel …
b e w i l d e r e d .

© Claire Murray, 17th October 2022