This memorial poem was originally intended as part of an art and poetry collection that I was creating about masks. The original poem was inspired by an abstract metal painting titled, "My Fathers mask" and it was not intended as a memorial poem. However, as I got ready to post the original poem and metal art work on my blog I realized that it was September 5th, the tenth anniversary of my father's death. So I decided to write an inspirational memorial poem about death in honor of my late father. I hope that this memorial poem brings comfort to those of you who have lost loved ones. For those of you who are struggling with grief you can find encouraging grief quotes and death poems here. This memorial poem, “My Fathers Mask: Death the Journey Home,” is dedicated to my dear late father, Chief Justice Z.R. Chesoni, who passed away on September 5th, 1999. He was a special man and a great father and I thank God for blessing me with such a wonderful dad. Unlike the poem's title, he never had a mask in his study but he had plenty of books. He loved to read and learn and he passed this love for knowledge on to all of us. My father always said knowledge was the one thing that nobody could take away from you. Now that my father is gone I often find solace in two of his favorite inspirational poems, "Rudyard Kipling’s, If" and "Don’t Quit" by an unknown author. Rest in Peace, Papa. I know that you are always watching over me.

My father has a mask
That hangs up in his study,
It is bronze and earthy,
With scary eyes.
It has a surprised mouth,
that holds the key
to some deep and dark mystery.

One day long ago
I asked him,
What deep dark secrets he hid,
In that strange mask
That hung up in his study.

Is it the key to your secrets
that you never told mother and I?
Or is it the key to your heart
where your love for us lies?
No, he told me with a serious
far away look in his eyes,
It is the key to my homeland,
that I left a long time ago,
It reminds me of where I came from,
And where I shall go.

I regarded him quizzically,
For it was unusual for him
to be so full of mystery.
Father of what are you talking?
And he snapped out of his reverie.
Never mind my dear,
he said placatingly.
I will tell you when you are old
enough to understand,
the stories about my homeland,
and its deep mystery.

When you go there will you take us with you I pled,
He looked at me gravely and shook his head,
Each one must make their own journey my dear,
But there will always be a home there for you so never fear.

Now my father has gone to his home,
He is no longer with us
But I know that I am not alone.
I look up at the mask that hangs in his study,
And I know that he is watching over me.
I remember those words that he said a long time ago
And they bring me comfort and ease my sorrow.
There will always be a home for you my dear
So let your heart rest easy and never ever fear.

A Death Memorial Poem by Maureen Injete Chesoni
Dedicated to My Father, the late Chief Justice Z.R. Chesoni

People have a difficult time dealing with death and this sometimes translates into difficulty in choosing the best way to remember a loved one. I know I am guilty of that and it took me a long time to deal with my fathers death or reminders of his absence. However, we can find peaceful comforting ways of reminding oursleves of loved ones who are no longer with us. If you are artistic or creative you can make your own memorial keepsakes and gifts. For example I made for my mother a metal art plaque with an encouraging bible quote. If you write poetry you can create your own memorial poetry poster at Zazzle and have it framed or you can write a book of memorial poems and dedicate to your father. You can publish books for free at Lulu.com. You can also create your own memorial keepsake box at Cafepress. If you are not much of a writer you can create a memorial photo book to share with your family and friends. If you are lacking in creativity you can either buy a ready made memorial gift with memorial poems or inspirational death quotes or you can add your own words to a personalized memorial gift. The main aim of a memorial gift should be to remind you of your loved one but at the same time it should bring comfort and healing to you or whoever you are giving it to.