Hope & Wendy Cope

One of my favourite blogging buddies, Shira over at In Pursuit of More has tagged me as part of a blog relay about hope. I’m not sure I’m convinced about blog relays BUT because it’s the lovely Shira tagging me, I am giving you a perspective on hope. Hope you enjoy!

On the other hand, perhaps it is serendipity? I’ve been looking for an opportune moment to share my favouritist poet of all time here on TSL, and I reckon I have just been given a wee nudge.

Please let me introduce you to the wonderfully funny, irreverent and clever Wendy Cope. Born in England, where she still resides, Wendy Cope is an award-winning contemporary English poet.

To date, I have two of her anthologies – ‘Serious Concerns’ and ‘Making Cocoa for Kinglsey Amis’ (available from Amazon). They are both wonderful – although I think I favour the former. Just.

And, as a taster, I give you ‘My Funeral’ by Wendy Cope (previously published in The Spectator).

Wendy – if you happen to read this post – I do hope you’ll forgive my flagrant breach of copyright. I love your work!

I hope I can trust you, friends, not to use our relationship

As an excuse for an unsolicited ego-trip.

I have seen enough of them at funerals and they make me cross.

At this one, though deceased, I aim to be the boss.

If you are asked to talk about me for five minutes, please do not go on for eight

There is a strict timetable at the crematorium and nobody wants to be late

If invited to read a poem, just read the bloody poem. If requested

To sing a song, just sing it, as suggested,

And don’t say anything. Though I will not be there,

Glancing pointedly at my watch and fixing the speaker with a malevolent stare,

Remember that this was how I always reacted

When I felt that anybody’s speech, sermon or poetry reading was becoming too protracted.

Yes, I was intolerant, and not always polite

And if there aren’t many people at my funeral, it will serve me right.