White Hearse

When the white hearse passed

a thousand mouths closed

at the chili cook-off.

Beer rippled to a standstill in plastic cups.

Spoons rested in peace 

in bowls of ground beef and beans.

People rose in respect.

Baseball caps came off

in the town square.

One could hear a crow squawk

at the top of a live oak.

I stared out in wonder

at solemn faces of random strangers.

The steel of our automobile

did not separate us.

Joined, for a time

from where we came from

and where we are going, people stood 

until the last car of the procession 

passed by.