A fine rainy day one time in spring,
Grandmother had almost finished her gardening.
When came a flash, a radiance so bright,
An angel then stepped out of the light.
“Grandmother,” he said in tones contrite,
“You know you’ve served well all of your life.
But out for one purpose alone I am sent,
I’ve come here to tell you your life’s at an end.”
Grandmother then sank down to her knees,
Not mourning, not begging, merely saying “please,
Give me till the end of these April showers,
To decide upon my funeral flowers.”
The angel granted her this last request,
And Grandmother returned to what she did best.
The family looked at each other in wonder,
Guessing which flower would be her answer.
“An Alstroemeria,” one said while gazing,
“Grandmother always was so very aspiring.”
“Perhaps a Camellia, so gracious was she,”
“Or a Forget-me-Not, remembered to be.”
“No, maybe Ginger, to show just how proud
She’s been of us all, though never said aloud,”
“Hibiscus, I think, though slight it may be
She’s always had some sort of inner-beauty.”
“A bouquet of Irises for an inspiring life,”
“A branch of Holly for a happy house-wife,”
“A Star of Bethlehem for her hope above,”
“A lilac to remember her very first love,”
“A Sunflower to show her adoration
For all things involved in vegetation,”
“A Zinnia to remember the very good friends
She had in plenty before the end.”
“A Freesia to show her ever-strong spirit,”
“A Carnation with stripes, her refusal to do it,”
“An Amaryllis to make the end more dramatic,”
“Poor Grandmother must be positively frantic.”
Grandmother then came in through the doors
As the rain outside stopped its’ downpour.
The family flocked ‘round, demanding to know
Which flower it was, that she’d finally chose.
Grandmother looked ‘round, a smile on her face,
Then she sat down, in charm and in grace.
“I’ve chosen the Cosmos,” she said with ease,
“For that lovely small flower, it stands for peace.”
“I’ve lived a life that was long and was good
And I’ve done the things a good servant should,
So now with no tears, and with no regrets,
I’ll happily go to my peaceful rest.”
Later that week, a great crowd was gathered
To honor that sweet, that loving Grandmother,
While some people cried, lost in their blubbers,
The family sat admiring her funeral flowers.
