Emptiness. He saw no one, only a large chamber with pewlike rows of seats and, at the far end, a casket surrounded by flowers. Off in a small sideroom an old-fashioned reed pump organ and a few wooden folding chairs. The mortuary smelled of dust and flowers, a sweet, stale mixture that repelled him. Think of all the Iowans, the thought, who've embraced eternity in this listless room.
In a large, desolate chamber, the protagonist observes an empty setting dominated by rows of pews and a casket adorned with flowers. The atmosphere is heavy with a blend of dust and floral scents that creates an unsettling mood. This space, intended for mourning, evokes a sense of emptiness and decay, symbolic of the finality that accompanies death.
The protagonist reflects on the many individuals from Iowa who have passed through this lifeless room, now embracing eternity within its confines. The imagery of the reed pump organ and folding chairs adds to the feeling of stagnation and sorrow, suggesting that this place is a temporary pause before the inevitable. It captures a poignant moment that highlights the emotional weight of loss and the passage of time.
