Aunty Del lived here 1917-2013.Edit 2.1crow, true

[tectak]

Maybe I've just lost my first- and second- read bias, but the poem is suddenly so much clearer. I stand by my earlier comments, but here's my rehearsal of the narrative, if it's helpful:

A beloved family member dies, and the decedants gather to either probate the will or divide the property otherwise. The narrator has trouble appraising the value of, in the instance given, a collectible plate, given that he had, himself, hung the plate up shortly before the death. That is, his emotions occlude his monetary appraisal. This is a jumping-off point for a sentimental appraisal of a life well lived. It's a rather straightforward eulogy, wearing the cloak of recent shock, and shedding that cloak at last.

Is that it?

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Ah. No I think I'm wrong. There's no emotional breakthrough--well, there is, but it's understated.

Perhaps my misread was because I wanted there to be a strong, emotional conclusion--anyone else think that?

Hi crow,
I don't do complicated. It really is what it says on the tin . Your comments are as good as it gets.
Best,
tectak