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The Departing of the Casket The wailing of the elder ladies echoes backwards and forwards, The sound bouncing off the walls of the almost rotten boards of the old meeting house. The uneasy murmur of the mourners can be heard. The wailing again by the elder kuia of the family brings sadness to the heart. I feel I want to cry but I'm too scared with the little kids around. Bitterness, crying, tears, the wailing is very sorrowful, it brings tears of sympathy to the onloookers' eyes. His death is a loss to the community, it is felt in the hearts of his family and especially his parents. Pallbearers bow their heads to show respect to the family and the dead one. Like soldiers they have their duty to perform. They place the lid on the casket, screw it firmly, lift gently, walk so very slowly. Miria Mako, 13

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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/TAH196806.2.34.13

Bibliographic details

Te Ao Hou, June 1968, Page 60

Word Count
149

The Departing of the Casket Te Ao Hou, June 1968, Page 60

The Departing of the Casket Te Ao Hou, June 1968, Page 60