POEMS, PRAYERS & READINGS

NOT SURE WHICH POEM OR PRAYER TO CHOOSE?

The Team at memories have taken due care and diligence to collate a timeless collection of poems and prayers that continues to be played for many generations. They are heard at the actual ceremony, visitation or wake, as well as the graveside. Reciting poems and prayers at a funeral or memorial service is very common, especially if it is a faith based service.

POEMS

I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one
I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.
I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways
of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.
I’d like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun
of happy memories that I leave behind when day is done.

A limb has fallen from the family tree,
I keep hearing a voice that says “Grieve not for me.”
Remember the best times, the laughter, the song,
The good life lived while I was strong.
Continue my heritage, I’m counting on you,
Keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through.
My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest,
Remembering all, now I truly was blessed.
Continue traditions, no matter how small,
Go on with your life, don’t just stare at the wall.
I miss you all dearly, so keep up your chin,
Until the day comes we’re together again.

Another leaf has fallen,
another soul has gone.
But still we have God’s promises,
in every robin’s song.

For he is in His heaven,

and though He takes away,
He always leaves to mortals,
the bright sun’s kindly ray.

He leaves the fragrant blossoms,
and lovely forest, green.
And gives us new found comfort,
when we on Him will lean.

Just close your eyes and you will see
All the memories that you have of me
Just sit and relax and you will find
I’m really still there inside your mind

Don’t cry for me now I’m gone
For I am in the land of song
There is no pain, there is no fear
So dry away that silent tear

Don’t think of me in the dark and cold
For here I am, no longer old
I’m in that place that’s filled with love
Known to you all, as “up above”

Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die.
I have sent up my gladness on wings, to be lost in the blue of the sky.
I have run and leaped with the rain, I have taken the wind to my breast.
My cheek like a drowsy child to the face of the earth I have pressed.
Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die.

I have kissed young love on the lips, I have heard his song to the end.
I have struck my hand like a seal in the loyal hand of a friend.
I have known the peace of Heaven, the comfort of work done well.
I have longed for death in the darkness and risen alive out of Hell.
Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die.

I give a share of my soul to the world where my course is run.
I know that another shall finish the task I must leave undone.
I know that no flower, nor flint was in vain on the path I trod.
As one looks on a face through a window, through life I have looked on God. Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die.

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there.
I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn’s rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there.
I did not die.

Farewell to Thee!  But not farewell
To All my fondest thoughts of Thee;
Within my heart they still shall dwell
And they shall cheer and comfort me.

 Life seems more sweet that Thou didst live
And men more true that Thou wert one;
Nothing is lost that Thou didst give,
Nothing destroyed that Thou hast done.

Fettered with importunate sentiments,

Old days pull me back by my hair, And thrust me towards vicious flames

As I smolder in those frozen moments!

Contemplation slits my subliminal mind,

And reminds me of your impish smile;

Cavernous trenches that we did dig are filled with my tears… Fragrance of flowers, which danced with us Now lay around you— all insensate!

You have made our world dance,

To your elated tunes— And I have clapped and esteemed

Every little thing that we have done!

Only reminiscences preoccupy now,

As your tune is lost somewhere,

But in my mind, I have saved it,

Which invigorates my soul every time!

I know nothing about tomorrow,

As you are not here today,

But will shortly join your incessant realm, My friend… but let me finish some things That we both have started some day!

God saw you getting tired
When a cure was not to be.
So He wrapped His arms around you,
And whispered, “Come unto me”.
You didn’t deserve what you went through,
And so He gave you rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful,
He only takes the best.
So when I saw you sleeping,
So peaceful and free from pain.
I could not wish you to come back,
to suffer that all again.

God saw you getting tired
When a cure was not to be.
So He wrapped His arms around you,
And whispered, “Come unto me”.
You didn’t deserve what you went through,
And so He gave you rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful,
He only takes the best.
So when I saw you sleeping,
So peaceful and free from pain.
I could not wish you to come back,
to suffer that all again.

Lay I, amidst the onlookers,

Who weep for their loss…

These eyes can see you all,

Which now are forever shut!

Heart still beats within my lost soul,

Whilst I lay underneath this earth— Am I dead? No, but have only taken new birth, Into a new world, and ‘they’ wait for me!

You must not weep for me,

Here I am not, only physically—

But always I am with you,

As my words are here to stay…

Though I am gone, I am still here; Can feel you all, your everything! Hurt me not by weeping, I love you all… And I will always live in your hearts!

If it seems that I am far away on this empty and solemn day
Just open your heart and know it’s true
that I am still right here with you.
If during the day things are going wrong
please don’t feel sad and alone.
Just open your heart and know it’s true
that I am still right here with you.
When night time falls and the day is done
If you are feeling alone and sleep won’t come
Just open your heart and know it’s true
that I am still right here with you.
Close your eyes, and feel the warm embrace
Sleep peacefully in the wings of grace
If sadness finds you in the morning light
if you feel alone, don’t give up trying
Hold this feather close and know it’s true
that I am always here with you.

I thought of you with love today,
but that is nothing new.
I thought about you yesterday,
and days before that too.
I think of you in silence,
I often speak your name.
All I have are memories
and a picture in a frame.
Your memory is a keepsake,
with which I’ll never part.
God has you in His keeping,
I have you in my heart.

If tears could build a stairway
and thoughts a memory lane
I’d walk right up to heaven
and bring you home again
No farewell words were spoken
No time to say good-bye
You were gone before I knew it
And only God knows why.

My heart’s still active in sadness
And secret tears still flow
What it meant to lose you
No one can ever know.
But now I know you want us
To mourn for you no more
To remember all the happy times
Life still has much in store

Since you’ll never be forgotten
I pledge to you today
A hallowed place within my heart
Is where you’ll always stay

God knows why, with chilling touch
Death gathers those we love so much
And what now seems so strange and dim
Will all be clear, when we meet Him

Petals fall over arid leaves,

Rotten with enigma of time;

Mystique moon perforates through

River of feelings, smiles at perpetuity!

It crawls noiselessly, inexplicably;

Through countless stars and comets,

Straight from god’s haven,

And from cradle of unknown realms…

It lingers above earth’s crust,

Floats over those wondrous mountains

And beauteous pines of obsolete forests—

Lurks around and laughs over heads…

Twirls then all over, steadily;

And turmoil of unknown fear, Meets it— inevitable hour…

Which congregates souls and fades away!

Life is just a stepping-stone
A pause before we make it home

A simple place to rest and be,
Until we reach eternity.
Everyone has a life journey,
A path to take with lots to see
God guides our steps along the way,
But we were never meant to stay.

Our final destination is a place
Filled with love, His majesty and grace.
Today we celebrate the life of a loved one
Who has gone before us, the race he has won.
His journey has now ended,
His spirit has ascended
Claiming the great reward
With Jesus, our Lord.

A life well lived is a precious gift,
of hope and strength and grace,
from someone who has made our world
a brighter, better place.

It’s filled with moments, sweet and sad
with smiles and sometimes tears,
with friendships formed and good times shared,
and laughter through the years.

A life well lived is a legacy,
of joy and pride and pleasure,
a living, lasting memory
our grateful heart’s will treasure.

When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me,
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room,
Why cry for a soul set free!
Miss me a little – but not for long
And not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love that we once shared,
Miss me, but let me go.

For this journey that we all must take
And each must go alone;
It’s all a part of the Master’s plan
A step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick at heart
Go to the friends we know,
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds.
Miss me, but let me go.

Think of me as one at rest,
for me you should not weep
I have no pain no troubled thoughts
for I am just asleep
The living thinking me that was,
is now forever still
And life goes on without me now,
as time forever will.

If your heart is heavy now
because I’ve gone away
Dwell not long upon it friend
For none of us can stay
Those of you who liked me,
I sincerely thank you all
And those of you who loved me,
I thank you most of all.

And in my fleeting lifespan,
as time went rushing by
I found some time to hesitate,
to laugh, to love, to cry
Matters it now if time began
If time will ever cease?
I was here, I used it all,
and now I am at peace.

Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you planned:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.

Rays then emerged every day,

The way they still do even today

By slashing obscured dusk, by welcoming dawn— Where we have played in that old lawn

Shadows now are everywhere,

And you are off for journey somewhere— Roads we walked once now lay deserted;

My lovely friend, without you, I feel so dejected!

Your words still echo in my ears,

And they passed like minutes— poor old years;

Shared deepest secrets that we could,

And now you are taking them away, with that wood!

Your eyes shine like eternal stars,

You have always kissed my painful scars;

My sweet friend, you now are travelling high, And we know that your shine will never die!

So go and run free with the angels
Dance around the golden clouds
For the Lord has chosen you to be with him
And we should feel nothing but proud

Although he has taken you from us
And our pain a lifetime will last
Your memory will never escape us
But make us glad for the time we did have

Your face will always be hidden
Deep inside our hearts
Each precious moment you gave us
Shall never, ever depart

So go and run free with the angels
As they sing so tenderly
And please be sure to tell them
To take good care of you for me

Someone so dearly loved
So popular with his friends
we should not cry forever
for this is not the end.

His memory lives amongst us
Times we both laughed and cried
I cannot bare to lose him
But one day, we all must die.

I hear his voice within me
and his funny little laugh
So many things remind me
Of times that are now gone past.

I knew of no-one who hated him
He was the apple of every eye
Any conflicts, we all once had
are now by the by.

Take time to gaze at a sunset sky
Where colours blaze to dazzle the eye.
Take time to watch a moonlit sea
And look in awe at a towering tree.
Take time to look in the heart of a flower
Adorned with diamonds from a gentle shower.
Take time to view a mountain high
With snowy peak ‘gainst bluest sky.
Take time to listen to the song of birds –
A paean of joy without need of words.
Take time to tell your closest friend
You love and loyalty will never end.
Take time to stop and stand and stare
At wonders round you everywhere.
Take time to make time –
For all too soon there is no more time

We little knew that day,
God was going to call your name.
In life we loved you dearly,
In death, we do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you.
You did not go alone.
For part of us went with you,
The day God called you home.

You left us beautiful memories,
Your love is still our guide.
And although we cannot see you,
You are always at our side.

Our family chain is broken,
And nothing seems the same,
But as God calls us one by one,
The chain will link again.

Near a shady wall a rose once grew,
Budded and blossomed in God’s free light,
Watered and fed by the morning dew,
Shedding it’s sweetness day and night.

As it grew and blossomed fair and tall,
Slowly rising to loftier height,
It came to a crevice in the wall
Through which there shone a beam of light.

Onward it crept with added strength
With never a thought of fear or pride,
It followed the light through the crevice’s length
And unfolded itself on the other side.

The light, the dew, the broadening view
Were found the same as they were before,
And it lost itself in beauties new,
Breathing it’s fragrance more and more.

Shall claim of death cause us to grieve
And make our courage faint and fall?
Nay! Let us faith and hope receive–
The rose still grows beyond the wall,

Scattering fragrance far and wide
Just as it did in days of yore,
Just as it did on the other side,
Just as it will forever-more.

We live by faith alone,
walking softly in the great unknown,
accepting that which cannot be postponed,
believing that what is yet to be seen
is the substance of our waking dream.

Wooden carriage is all set now, To travel through skies— And to smile a goodbye— forever one!

Brows prick with eternal radiance, yet masked…

Dank mountains afar, horizons emerge;

Dusky trail beneath frosty mist, Hollow shrines cynically recur,

And fervor of intimidated souls!

Specters, angels hum mellifluously

To enthralled harmony of lost saints,

Far above the manly world—

Utopia sneers where even imperfection is flawless!

Pools of tears, the surge seems endless

And man is just a mortal body—

Immortal soul, ready to travel…

And wooden carriage’s destination— the eternal heaven!

When I must leave you for a little while
Please do not grieve and shed wild tears
And hug your sorrow to you through the years
But start out bravely with a gallant smile
And for my sake and in my name
Live on and do all things the same
Feed not your loneliness on empty days
But fill each waking hour in useful ways
Reach out your hand in comfort and cheer
And I in turn will comfort you and hold you near
And never never be afraid to die
For I am waiting for you in the sky

Both have walked the thorny lanes,

Filled with sorrows and pain; We both have laughed off agony together, And we have fought anguish and ache.

I cried on your shoulder every time,

And you have supported me, made me smile; We have shared everything together, Time went by, and it is an enigma!

Long rides, those chilly nights

With thrilling speed and mind-blowing fun,

We had fights too, those silly fights,

Filled with absurd words…

Like you, there will be no other,

You were my only friend, the best!

I have all those funny pictures,

With your sweet and innocent face

Where have you gone now?

I need your shoulder to cry upon,

I am weeping for your loss,

And have no one to console me,

The way you did, my dear friend— Goodbye!

When tomorrow starts without me,
And I’m not there to see;
If the sun should rise
and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me;
I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know you’ll miss me too
So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don’t think we’re far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I’m right here, in your heart.

I know it is time for you to go,

I am not crying, I know it hurts You to see me in tears…

Look, I am not in tears, my friend!

I know, I will never be alone,

You are not far from me As you have promised to stay by my side, And to fight for me and my happiness!

Even though you are departing,

You are taking my heart with you—

I know, you will keep it safe,

Far from this world, in your serene world!

I will not miss you, never

Because you are with me, always—

I am not here to say goodbye But to welcome your presence,

My dear friend, once more in my world!

Budding winter is melting

Deep down my frozen soul,

Which craves for yours as I

Stand helpless and restless!

You have crushed my heart by leaving me all alone,

And now it finds no peace in its countless pieces—

Lethargic feelings yield incessantly,

Where you have smiled cheerfully, during those days…

Loved me like no other,

You have taught me everything;

And have held my trembling body

And taught me how to walk and run

A master, philosopher, teacher and a parent you were—

The genius that my mind will always miss and remember;

You have blown away my life’s intricate paths,

And now you have left me here, all alone

You have waited for my return, back home

For hours, and in those lonely hours—

Now here I stand, with your cold body,

And now I have no one to wait back home!

Standing on your grave I mourn the present and the future- only the past knew you.

And I’m struggling to catch a breath under the sheets that death has covered me with.

Myriads of thoughts crowding my brain – Are we to meet again? Am I to see you somewhere where pain doesn’t dwell?

Watching you suffer tore my heart into bits and pieces, but I was selfish and wanted you to be the Pole Star of my life forever.

Hands that held, protected me once,

Now lay frozen, unprotected amidst The cradle of death, time to bade goodbye— Once and for all, here you are, ready to go!

Always had you with me, my savior;

Fearless to slip, as I always did

Land in your arms, whenever I did fall;

Your assurance made me feel complete, always…

Days that we once laughed together are lost

Somewhere, without any trace,

But are reminiscences alive, deep inside;

And now, they perforate my heart and soul…

Sacrificed everything for me and my career,

Worked day and night to see me happy;

And now, that valor is ready to fly

As angels stand and wait for your shine!

You have created a history in my wordless life,

Inspired and motivated me for everything;

Encouraged when I felt weak, embraced me when I cried, Wiped my tears with assurance, every time!

And now, I have to wipe my own tears as hands

That rubbed my cheeks now lay frozen, Unprotected amidst the cradle of death, And it is time, time to say goodbye!

Heartbeat of your torment reverberates through my memory.

You saved yourself from never-ending anguish, clutched onto your only solution. Even though I’ll never accept that you are at peace, I praise every second spent with you. You burned too bright for this folly world.

I believe that you’re looking at us at this moment of grief and smiling protectively, as you always did. I know that death didn’t take you, it couldn’t – you are still here, in my heart you are too bright, too strong.

“Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.”1

ate hour arrived and you had to go,

God needed another divine soul and he chose you

To add beauty in his Eden garden with incredible glow— Your beautiful eyes are at rest, in angels’ arms!

You were the strength and the epitome of valor,

I felt safe when I slept in your lap,

Reassurance kissed my forehead whenever you touched it,

Your fingers tinkled my stomach as I laughed…

It is hard for me to hold my tears back,

And to see you like this in angels’ arms;

The beauty of your smile, my mother, still is visible

Even when your eyes can never open…

Come to me now…let me sing mellifluous lullaby,

The way you sang when I was a child,

Come sweet mother, come to me… Now, it is time for you to sleep!

Death to take me to you.

What is existence without the woman who gave me life? Mere survival, endless days and nights spent for the sake of what?

Pangs of sadness are my constant reminders of what happened. They come in spasms and turn my eyes into void, into the inside of a tomb.

With arms wide open

I salute your every word, every breath, every single heart-beat.

I couldn’t save you from death,

But I can and will save you from oblivion.

The moor, beyond those hills

Will now miss your footsteps;

Lanes and roads will be the same

But without you, and time will fade away…

There will be no tomorrow for you,

Unlike yesterday and day before; But life will keep going, man will keep moving— And deeds, words are here forever to stay!

Unforgettable days will keep haunting

As long as I stay here, in this world, Past will, no wonder, torment my present— Wish I could fight death and bring you here!

Gloomy clouds will now overwhelm

The shadow of my soul, in every way,

Even when you are not here and far away,

I can still feel your presence around, and will always!

Death leaves bland taste – But its fruit remarkably intertwines with human blood and then runs through one’s body hence spreading venom even through the smallest cells of life.

I was poisoned the moment you died. This venom of death found its way in me and planted the seed of sadness which bore only tears and emptiness.

I was poisoned the moment you died.

Death leaves nothing – but us who are supposed to destroy its seed although we feel helpless against eternity.

I will not forget your smile, never, not even for a second – This is my victory over venomous ages and your path to eternity.

Wind blows and pierces my lonesome heart,

Where you resided once within—

Now a hole dwells, where it used to be that part,

And lolls your essence, always, herein…

Arid leaves crave for your dainty feet’s blows,

Where our love blossomed years ago These lips long for your tender brows,

I, now, ask my heart— where I should go?

Summers will now remind me of your laughter

And how you embraced me in your special ways; Snow freezes my soul now— what a disaster!

Chilly nights now will be forlorn, always…

Steps I have to take alone, down the lane,

My shadow has disappeared from my life; I am now in indefinable and excruciating pain,

Charm has vanished, forever, and it cuts like a knife!

With time, years have vanished

But reminiscences are eternal,

Surge of tears is tarnished,

But my love, like my love, your soul is immortal!

when you left this place and drifted away into emptiness – I died as well.

I can’t help thinking about the life we led, about things I should have said, about you – watershed of my life.

Our first kiss was the moment of sheer bliss. It is a reminiscent of how much I miss you.

Never again will you touch my hand and put a kiss on my lips – but I loved and love you still;

Our affection is invulnerable.

When your eyes mourn your loved one with each and every tear- drop by drop.

When you can see the pain but cannot reach it; And your hands want to touch but the non-existing touch burns so much already.

When you see the numb emptiness in his eyes

but refuse to acknowledge that we all have that day written in the stars –

The day when everything and nothing are exactly alike;

When love hurts completely the same as hate; When a smile can denote pain and when everything except fate is vain.

That was the day, my dear, when I realized this sadness of mine could never subdue the light you emanated.

Incarcerated in my own prison—

My soul, now is chained with forlorn heart,

Every moment digs past and agonizes present; I smell that fragrance whenever I breathe!

Old letters with lip-marks scream

With faded words, feebly and dolefully; Cold breeze now cuts through my face, Unlike yesterday when we did enjoy!

Silent tears now freeze with my cold blood,

As heart yearns for your body’s heat;

Meadows afar now seem cheerless

As your footprints will never be there…

Mystique aura has morphed into eccentricity,

Illusions and delusions are only solutions, As veracity seems futile — to this existence, And now, cannot leave or live!

Hysterical sensations now besiege my psyche,

And the surge of murkiness lingers beneath My obscured realms, and there is no turning back, I know baby, there is no coming back!

It was time when sky showered

Its blissful and joyful tears, And the sky was covered with

Dark clouds, when you embraced me!

Your lips whispered in my ears— ‘I love you, and will always be there,

Forever, no matter what will occur’— But now what happened to your promise?

I miss that head on my chest,

Helpless fingers crave for your hair,

Where they rolled through;

Tormented chest can still feel your heart,

Arid lips still can feel your tender and sweet lips…

Your warmth in those cold nights,

Will now be lonely and haunted

By painful memories, those once were sweet; No more can these tears take pain, my heart,

No more can my soul stay in my body, my love!

Now, you are in beautiful celestial gardens,

Swinging with angels with marvelous laughter;

Look down, you should not, never into my eyes—

Baby, I will live and survive

With the love that you have left for me inside!

Death penetrated its claws into you and then swallowed everything but the memory.

When you put your hand right next to mine for the first time I felt only joy – Joy filled my life and made me believe

in felicity, in love –

Love was my blood all these years – The years I have spent with you.

For knowing you

I am grateful;

For loving you

I am grateful; For losing you

I am devastated.

They say that time heals everything but the emptiness in my heart is irremediable.

It was just you and me,

Far away from crowd;

The crazy world was out of our reach,

And you held my hand innocently…

Why? Why did you have to leave Me in this world all alone?

Was my love not enough? Was my care not enough?

Give my life back now,

Why did you have to take it?

Turn back to me now and please smile—

The world is eating me up now…

My baby, will you come back?

Will you smile once again?

I know, you will not, never! And, now it is only me, just me— And you are far away…!

He passed away so innocent and true
So brief was his time, we hardly knew.
A baby so sweet with a precious smile
The time we had with him was so worthwhile.

An early arrival in Heaven that day
Met by the angels in all their array
A comforting thought as they welcomed him there
So much to see and so much to share.

Of life’s blessings; all my dreams washed away; sunk with your heart into the void.

I gave you life and then you gave it back to me- the moment I saw those sparkling eyes I realized there was no happiness before you, there was nothing before you.

Now, I cry myself to sleep and then dream of having you in my arms again. As if I could bring you back,

As if I could be happy once again – As if you weren’t my everything.

There is no life without you — and you are not coming back.

Silence when I let out a piercing shriek –

Words would only make the pain seem imaginable, false – curable.

My child, the mirror image of my love gone – as the laughter in the house.

My love will never fade, my love will never cease, my child is always going to be the light of my path.

My bright-eyed angel is in a better place now.

I endure anticipation and inquisitiveness

Within my lonely heart and helpless soul— …and tears were filled with ecstasy, that day When god sent you to this world!

Your allure has forever made us sentient,

And you had a thousand angels’ smile, How you crawled and jumped,

Those days, can I forget? No, never!

That struggle to gather words,

And restiveness to grow fast;

How you played every day,

My child, I remember that all…

Dirt on little clothes,

Your innocence and trepidation— How you convinced me for

Your little mistakes— oh my child!

Time has wings, it flew away,

And took you far from me— My child, your innocence will stay

Within my mind, the way you will be!

Old portraits hang still,

In your lonely room; Your body is gone

With charm that you had once!

My lap is deserted with nobody

To play there, nobody to jump,

And nobody to touch my cheeks

With little tender hands…

What have you done to me?

Will you come back and explain? Alas! I know, you will never,

My child, you have gone too far!

If I ever, in life, get a chance,

For sure, I will turn back this time—

To those days when you laughed and played, When you talked for hours and hours!

Obscured hour, glum moment is this— Now I have to bury you, here; And see this inert body…

Once I gave birth to the same!

White water is starting to escalate & meet my cheeks on its way- my way of dealing with numbness of the rest of my body. Pieces of glass in my stomach, its jagged edges splintering into my belly, like there’s a broken part of me trying to cry itself out.

You were my poppy, my red, delicate flower; Too delicate to exist in this world.

You could fit so easily in my arms, like they’d been shaped just for you. From the moment you were born they were your cradle.

But the cradle was too weak to keep your tiny body safe from the raging storm.

You disappeared like everything else.

Beach is covered with lost souls,

Sand lays still, no footprints; Birds’ cries pierce god’s sky As it weeps with my pain!

Do I have to lose anything more, When I have lost you?

My part of soul has flown away,

By leaving my vulnerable body here…

Drowning in my own tears,

I am burning in my loss; Your shadows dance and voice echoes,

And are here to stay with me without an end!

God loves you and he took you away,

But he cannot make me forget you— You are still mine, my sweetest child,

Even when you have silently walked away!

Wind roars with its fierceness,

Gloomy, sharp claws swing towards My moist eyes as I stand still— Over your body, my sweet kid!

Last Christmas you have promised

That you will surprise me in Easter— I wondered about it— Day and night,

And now, it went away with your soul!

Tranquility has no meaning left,

And since you have left, there is no peace… My eyes still hope to see you around, The way I did yesterday and before!

Should I wait for your return?

Or should I come to you?

Come to me in dreams, every night,

But you have taken my sleep with you!

A parent alive and his child – gone. I have to accept this, but the mere idea tears my being into fractions. When all my life is buried with you in this ghastly land am I the chosen one to live? Oh, if I could trade my life for your!

God left me with your last breath, but who am I to live afterwards – if this is life and not living death.

Agony squeezed my throat and won’t let go. It took my breath away after they declared… that you died.

But the pain is my only reminder that you were real and I need it because I need to remember – I want to remember- every bit of your existence.

My Earth stopped revolving – You were the Sun.

Your death numbed me, it woke me up from my quotidian slumber.

The more I try to reconcile myself to the fact that you’re gone, the more I overcast the happiness you brought into my life.

I refuse to mourn you, you would never desire that!

I, thus, celebrate you, as a perfect gift, a refreshing breeze which brought heaven closer that anyone could imagine.

You will be remembered for your tenderness, purity and empathy- qualities so unfamiliar to many.

You have all my love and friendship, as you always did.

I saw a total eclipse in your eyes.

You were on your deathbed but still smiled even though the pain must have been agonizing.

You held the darkness of emptiness at bay by seconds.

I was holding your hand – it was like an amulet which I didn’t want to lose.

And I still can’t believe that God took my friend!

This is a nightmare-

I wish I could wake up, just snap out of it-

If you see me from above do look at the pain around me and tell me where to go now, what to do,

I’m lost without you.

Fettered with importunate sentiments,

Old days pull me back by my hair, And thrust me towards vicious flames

As I smolder in those frozen moments!

Contemplation slits my subliminal mind,

And reminds me of your impish smile;

Cavernous trenches that we did dig are filled with my tears… Fragrance of flowers, which danced with us Now lay around you— all insensate!

You have made our world dance,

To your elated tunes— And I have clapped and esteemed

Every little thing that we have done!

Only reminiscences preoccupy now,

As your tune is lost somewhere,

But in my mind, I have saved it,

Which invigorates my soul every time!

I know nothing about tomorrow,

As you are not here today,

But will shortly join your incessant realm, My friend… but let me finish some things That we both have started some day!

like a falling star, you brightened my sky and then faded away.

My dear friend, nothing is going to be the same without you- even trying to remember how to breathe seems absurd now. You inspired me in so many ways, taught me how to appreciate the optimistic note of life and widened my horizons. I owe you so much,

I miss you so much.

Gone too soon,

like a falling star, you brightened my sky and then faded away.

Your death killed me.

You are a fairytale that was never told, hidden emerald, melody that was never heard.

This pain I feel has a life of its own – It devours the happiness I feel for knowing you and plants the waterfalls which shed tears for your death.

You are a fairytale that was never told, hidden emerald, melody that was never heard.

I want to celebrate your life by reading these words and show my respect to the buds of sunshine you planted in the garden of my heart.

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust…

You are a fairytale that was never told, hidden emerald, melody that was never heard.

Rays then emerged every day,

The way they still do even today

By slashing obscured dusk, by welcoming dawn— Where we have played in that old lawn

Shadows now are everywhere,

And you are off for journey somewhere— Roads we walked once now lay deserted;

My lovely friend, without you, I feel so dejected!

Your words still echo in my ears,

And they passed like minutes— poor old years;

Shared deepest secrets that we could,

And now you are taking them away, with that wood!

Your eyes shine like eternal stars,

You have always kissed my painful scars;

My sweet friend, you now are travelling high, And we know that your shine will never die!

We both have walked the thorny lanes,

Filled with sorrows and pain; We both have laughed off agony together, And we have fought anguish and ache.

I cried on your shoulder every time,

And you have supported me, made me smile; We have shared everything together, Time went by, and it is an enigma!

Long rides, those chilly nights

With thrilling speed and mind-blowing fun,

We had fights too, those silly fights,

Filled with absurd words…

Like you, there will be no other,

You were my only friend, the best!

I have all those funny pictures,

With your sweet and innocent face

Where have you gone now?

I need your shoulder to cry upon,

I am weeping for your loss,

And have no one to console me,

The way you did, my dear friend— Goodbye!

I know it is time for you to go,

I am not crying, I know it hurts You to see me in tears…

Look, I am not in tears, my friend!

I know, I will never be alone,

You are not far from me As you have promised to stay by my side, And to fight for me and my happiness!

Even though you are departing,

You are taking my heart with you—

I know, you will keep it safe,

Far from this world, in your serene world!

I will not miss you, never

Because you are with me, always—

I am not here to say goodbye But to welcome your presence,

My dear friend, once more in my world!

PRAYERS

God our Father,
Your power brings us to birth,
Your providence guides our lives,
and by Your command we return to dust.

Lord, those who die still live in Your presence,
their lives change but do not end.
I pray in hope for my family,
relatives and friends,
and for all the dead known to You alone.

In company with Christ,
Who died and now lives,
may they rejoice in Your kingdom,
where all our tears are wiped away.
Unite us together again in one family,
to sing Your praise forever and ever.

Amen.

you love everything you have made
and judge us with infinite mercy and justice.
We rejoice in your promises of pardon, joy and peace
to all those who love you.
In your mercy turn the darkness of death into the dawn of new life,
and the sorrow of parting into the joy of heaven;
through our Saviour Jesus Christ,
who died, rose again, and lives for evermore.

Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you for all the benefits you have won for us, for all the pains and insults you have borne for us.
Most merciful redeemer, friend and brother, may we know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day.
Amen.

O God, who holdest all souls in life and callest them unto thee as seemeth best:
we give them back, dear God, to thee who gavest them to us.
But as thou didst not lose them in the giving, so we do not lose them by their return.
For not as the world giveth, givest thou, O Lord of souls:
that which thou givest thou takest away:
for life is eternal, and love is immortal, and death is only the horizon, and the horizon is nothing to save the limit of our sight.

Almighty God,
Father of all mercies and giver or all comfort: deal graciously,
we pray thee,
with all those who mourn,
that casting every care on thee,
they may know the consolation of thy love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

O Father of all,
we pray to thee for those whom we love, but see no longer.
Grant them thy peace; let light perpetual shine upon them;
and in thy loving wisdom and almighty power work in them the good purpose of thy perfect will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

In any way that men love me, in that same way they find my love:

for many are the paths of men, but they all in the end come to me.

God be in my head,

and in my understanding;

God be in my eyes,

and in my looking;

God be in my mouth,

and in my speaking;

God be in my heart,

and in my thinking;

God be at my end,

and at my departing.

Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace.

Our Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women,

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners,

now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace.

Our Lord is with you.

Blessed are you among women,

and blessed is the fruit of your womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners,

now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Heavenly Father,

you have not made us for darkness and death,

but for life with you for ever.

Without you we have nothing to hope for;

with you we have nothing to fear.

Speak to us now your words of eternal life.

Lift us from anxiety and guilt

to the light and peace of your presence,

and set the glory of your love before us;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Living God, you have lit the day with the sun’s light

and the midnight with shining stars.

Lighten our hearts with the bright beams

of the Sun of Righteousness

risen with healing in his wings,

Jesus Christ our Lord.

And so preserve us in the doing of your will,

that at the last we may shine

as the stars for ever;

through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

I would be true for there are those who trust me,

I would be pure for there are those who care,

I would be strong for there is much to suffer,

I would be brave for there is much to dare,

I would be friend of all, the foe, the friendless,

I would be giving and forget the gift,

I would be humble for I know my weakness,

I would look up and laugh and love, and live.

Our Father

Who art in heaven

Hallowed be thy name

Thy kingdom come

Thy will be done

On earth as it is in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread

And forgive us our trespasses

As we forgive those who trespass against us

And lead us not into temptation

But deliver us from evil

For Thine is the kingdom,

the power and the glory

For ever and ever

Amen

Lord of all, we praise you

for all who have entered into their rest

and reached the promised land where you are seen face to face.

Give us grace to follow in their footsteps

as they followed in the way of your Son.

Thank you for the memory of those you have called to yourself:

by each memory, turn our hearts from things seen to things unseen,

and lead us till we come to the eternal rest

you have prepared for your people,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,

that never was it known

that any one who fled to your protection,

implored your help or sought your intercession,

was left unaided.

Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto you,

O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.

To you I come, before you I stand,

sinful and sorrowful;

O Mother of the Word Incarnate,

despise not my petitions, but in your mercy

hear and answer me.

Amen.

Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Living God,

you breathe in us

on all that is inadequate and fragile.

You make living water spring even

from our hurts themselves.

And through you, the valley of tears

becomes a place of wellsprings.

So, in an inner life

with neither beginning nor end,

your continual presence

makes new freshness break through.

Amen.

Bring us, O Lord God, at our last awakening into the house and gate of heaven;

to enter into that gate and dwell in that house, where there shall be no darkness nor dazzling, but one equal light;

no noise nor silence, but one equal to music;

no fears nor hopes, but one equal to possession;

no ends, nor beginnings, but one equal to eternity;

in the habitations of thy glory and dominion, world with out end.

Amen.

Body of Christ, save me.

Blood of Christ, refresh me.

Water from the side of Christ, wash me.

Passion of Christ, strengthen me.

O good Jesus, hear me.

Within your wounds hide me.

Let me never be separated from you.

From the power of darkness defend me.

In the hour of my death, call me

and bid me come to you,

that with your saints I may praise you

for ever and ever.

Amen.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;

Enjoying one moment at a time;

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;

Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;

That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next.

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love;

for it is in giving that we receive,

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen.

READINGS

After great pain, a formal feeling comes –
The Nerves sit ceremonious, like Tombs –
The stiff Heart questions was it He, that bore,
And Yesterday, or Centuries before?

The Feet, mechanical, go round –
Of Ground, or Air, or Ought –
A Wooden way
Regardless grown,
A Quartz contentment, like a stone –

This is the Hour of Lead –
Remembered, if outlived,
As Freezing persons recollect the Snow –
First – Chill – then Stupor – then the letting go –

Yes, faith is a goodly anchor;
When skies are sweet as a psalm,
At the bows it lolls so stalwart,
In its bluff, broad-shouldered calm.

And when over breakers to leeward
The tattered surges are hurled,
It may keep our head to the tempest,
With its grip on the base of the world.

But, after the shipwreck, tell me
What help in its iron thews,
Still true to the broken hawser,
Deep down among seaweed and ooze?

In the breaking gulfs of sorrow,
When the helpless feet stretch out
And find in the deeps of darkness
No footing so solid as doubt,

Then better one spar of Memory,
One broken plank of the Past,
That our human heart may cling to,
Through hopeless of shore at last!

To the spirit its splendid conjectures,
To the flesh its sweet despair,
Its tears o’ver the thin-worn locket
With its anguish of deathless hair!

Immortal? I feel it and know it.
Who doubts it of such as she?
But that is the pang’s very secret, –
Immortal away from me.

There’s a narrow ridge in the graveyard
Would scarce stay a child in his race,
But to me and my thought it is wider
Than the star-sown vague of Space.

Your logic, my friend, is perfect,
Your morals most drearily true;
But, since the earth clashed on her coffin,
I keep hearing that, and not you.

Console if you will, I can bear it;
‘Tis a well-meant alms of breath;
But not all the preaching since Adam
Has made Death older than Death.

It is pagan; but wait till you feel it, –
That jar of our earth, that dull shock
When the ploughshare of deeper passion
Tears down to our primitive rock.

Communion in spirit! Forgive me,
But I, who am earthly and weak,
Would give all my incomes from dreamland
For a touch of her hand on my cheek.

That little shoe in the corner,
So worn and wrinkled and brown,
With its emptiness confutes you
And argues your wisdom down.

Death is nothing at all,
I have only slipped away into the next room,
I am I, and you are you,
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still,
Call me by my old familiar name,
Speak to me in the same easy way which you always did,
Put no difference into your tone;
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be the household word that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effect, without the shadow of a ghost on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was; there is absolutely unbroken continuity,
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am just waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner.
All is well.

Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die.
I have sent up my gladness on wings, to be lost
in the blue of the sky.
I have run and leaped with the rain, I have taken
the wind to my breast.
My cheek like a drowsy child to the face of the
earth I have pressed.
Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die.

I have kissed young Love on the lips, I have
heard his song to the end.
I have struck my hand like a seal in the loyal
hand of a friend.
I have known the peace of heaven, the comfort
of work done well.
I have longed for death in the darkness and risen
alive out of hell.
Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die.

I gave a share of my soul to the world where
my course is run.
I know that another shall finish the task I must
leave undone.
I know that no flower, no flint was in vain on
the path I trod.
As one looks on a face through a window,
through life I have looked on God.
Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die.

Fear no more the heat o’ th’ sun Nor the furious winter’s rages; Thou thy worldly task hast done, Home art gone, and ta’en thy wages. Golden lads and girls all must, As chimney-sweepers, come to dust.

Fear no more the frown o’ th’ great; Thou art past the tyyrant’s stroke. Care no more to clothe and eat; To thee the reed is as the oak. The sceptre, learning, physic, must All follow this and come to dust.

Fear no more the lightning flash North’all-dreaded thunder-stone; Fear not slander, censure rash; Thou has finished joy and moan.

All lovers young, all lovers must Consign to thee and come to dust.

No exorciser harm thee! Nor no witchcraft charm thee! Ghost unlaid forbear thee! Nothing ill come near thee! Quiet consummation have, And renowned be thy grave!

Death is nothing at all.
It does not count.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
Nothing has happened.

Everything remains exactly as it was. I am I, and you are you, and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged.

Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. Call me by the old familiar name. Speak to me in the easy way which you always used.

Put no difference into your tone. Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.

Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word it always was. Let it spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it. It means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was.

There is absolute and unbroken continuity. What is this death but a negligible accident? Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?

I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner. All is well.

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant, they to have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble, it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is, many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars, you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

I am not resigned to the shutting away of loving hearts in the hard ground.
So it is, and so it will be, for so it has been, time out of mind:
Into the darkness they go, the wise and the lovely. Crowned
With lilies and with laurel they go; but I am not resigned.

Lovers and thinkers, into the earth with you.
Be one with the dull, the indiscriminate dust.
A fragment of what you felt, of what you knew,
A formula, a phrase remains, – but the best is lost.

The answers quick and keen, the honest look, the laughter, the love, –
They are gone. They are gone to feed the roses. Elegant and curled
Is the blossom. Fragrant is the blossom. I know. But I do not approve.
More precious was the light in your eyes than all the roses in the world.

Down, down, down into the darkness of the grave
Gently they go, the beautiful, the tender, the kind;
Quietly they go, the intelligent, the witty, the brave.
I know. But I do not approve. And I am not resigned.

I am not resigned to the shutting away of loving hearts in the hard ground.
So it is, and so it will be, for so it has been, time out of mind:
Into the darkness they go, the wise and the lovely. Crowned
With lilies and with laurel they go; but I am not resigned.

Lovers and thinkers, into the earth with you.
Be one with the dull, the indiscriminate dust.
A fragment of what you felt, of what you knew,
A formula, a phrase remains, – but the best is lost.

The answers quick and keen, the honest look, the laughter, the love, –
They are gone. They are gone to feed the roses. Elegant and curled
Is the blossom. Fragrant is the blossom. I know. But I do not approve.
More precious was the light in your eyes than all the roses in the world.

Down, down, down into the darkness of the grave
Gently they go, the beautiful, the tender, the kind;
Quietly they go, the intelligent, the witty, the brave.
I know. But I do not approve. And I am not resigned.

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Those wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

To everything there is a season,
and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break through, and a time to build up;
a time to weep and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to see, and a time to lose; a time to keep,
and a time to cast away; a time to rend,
and a time to sow; a time to keep silence,
and a time to speak; a time to love,
and a time to hate; a time for war,
and a time for peace.

It was beautiful as long as it lasted, the journey of my life, I have no regrets whatsoever, save the pain I’ll leave behind.

Those dear hearts who love and care, and the heavy with sleep ever moist eyes, the smile in spite of a lump in the throat and the strings pulling at the heart and soul,
The strong arms that held me up when my own strength let me down, each morsel that I was fed with was full of love.

At every turning of my life I came across good friends, friends who stood by me, even when the time raced me by.

Farewell farewell my friends, I smile and bid you goodbye.
No, shed no tears, for I need them not, all I need is your smile, If you feel sad, do think of me, for that’s what I’ll like, when you live in the hearts of those you love, remember then…… you never die

Time is too slow for those who wait,
Too swift for those who fear,
Too long for those who grieve,
Too short for those who rejoice,
But for those who love, time is
Eternity

No one ever old me that grief felt so like fear. I am not afraid, but the sensation is like being afraid. The same fluttering in the stomach, the same restlessness, the yawning. I keep on swallowing.
At other times, it feels like being mildly drunk, or concussed. There is a short of invisible blanket between the world and me. I find it hard to take in what anyone says. Or perhaps, hard to want to take it in. It is so uninteresting. Yet I want the others to be about me. I dread the moments when the house is empty. If only they would talk to one another and not me.
There are moments, mostly unexpectedly, when something inside me tries to assure me that I don’t really mind so much, not so very much after all. Love is not the whole of a man’s life. I was happy before I ever met H. I’ve plenty of what are called ‘resources’. People get over these things. Come, I shan’t do so badly. One is ashamed to listen to this voice but it seems for a little to be making out a good case. Then comes a sudden jab of red-hot memory and all this ‘commonsense’ vanishes like and ant in the mouth of a furnace…
Meanwhile, where is God? This is one of the most disquieting symptoms. When you are happy, so happy that you have no sense of needing Him, so happy that you are tempted to feel His claims upon you as an interruption, if you remember yourself and turn to Him with gratitude and praise, you will be – or so it feels – welcomed with open arms. But go to Him when your need is desperate, when all other help is in vain, and what do you find? A door slammed in your face, and a sound of bolting and doubling on the inside. After that, silence. You may as well turn away. The longer you wait, the more emphatic the silence will become. There are no lights in the windows. It might be an empty house. Was it ever inhabited? It seemed so once. And that seeming was as strong as this. What can this mean? Why is He so present a commander in our time of prosperity and so very absent a help in a time of trouble?

May I try to tell you again where your only comfort lies? It is not in forgetting the happy past. People bring us well-meant but miserable consolations when they tell us well-meant but miserable consolations when they tell us what time will do to help our grief. We do not want to lose our grief, because our grief is bound up with our love and we could not cease to mourn without being robbed of our affections.

My days among the Dead are passed; Around me I behold, where e’r these casual eyes are cast, The mighty minds of old; my never-failing friends are they, With whom I converse day by day.

With them I take delight in weal, And seek relief in woe; And while I understand and feel How much to them I owe, My cheeks have often been bedewed With tears of thoughtful gratitude.

My thoughts are with the Dead; With them I live in long-past years, Their virtues love, their faults condemn, Partake their hopes and fears, And from their lessons seek and find Instruction with an humble mind.

My hopes are with the Dead; anon My place with them will be, And I with them shall travel on Through all Futurity; Yet leaving here a name, I trust, That will not perish in the dust.

No worst, there is none. Pitched past pitch of grief,
More pangs will, schooled at forepangs, wilder wring.
Comforter, where, where is your comforting?
Mary, mother of us, where is your relief?
My cries heave, herds-long, huddle in the main, a chief
Woe, world-sorrow; on an age-old anvil wince and sing –
Then lull, then leave off. Fury had shrieked ‘No ling-
ering! Let me be fell: force I must be brief.

O the mind, mind has mountains; cliffs of fall
Frightful, sheer, no-man-fathomed. Hold them cheap
May who ne’er hung there. Nor does long our small
Durance deal with that steep or deep. Here! creep,
Wretch, under a comfort serves in a whirlwind; all
Life death does end and each day dies with sleep.

Then a woman said, “Speak to us of Joy and Sorrow.”
And he answered:
Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.
And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.
And how else can it be?
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain. .
Is not the cup that hold your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter’s oven?
And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives?
When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.

Some of you say, “Joy is greater than sorrow,” and others say, “Nay, sorrow is the greater.” But I say unto you, they are inseparable.
Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.

Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.
Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.
When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall.

My prime of youth is but a frost of cares,
My feast of joy is but a dish of pain,
My crop of corn is but a field of tares,
And all my good is but vain hope of gain;
The day is past, and yet I saw no sun,
And now I live, and now my life is done.

My tale was heard and yet it was not told,
My fruit is fallen and yet my leaves are green,
My youth is spent and yet I am not old,
I was the world and yet I was not seen;
My thread is cut and yet it is not spun,
And now I live, and now my life is done.

I sought my death and found it in my womb,
I looked for life and found it was a shade,
I trod the earth and knew it was my tomb,
And now I die, and now I was but made;
My glass is full, and now my glass is run,
And now I live, ad now my life is done.

Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you planned:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.

You can shed tears that she is gone
or you can smile because she has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back
or you can open your eyes and see all she has left.

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her
or you can be full of the love you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her and only that she’s gone
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind,
be empty and turn your back

or you can do what she would want:
smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

To all who have prayed, visited, telephoned, sent cards, gifts and for every expression of encouragement, love andaffection we thank you. To others who rendered support, please accept our profound and sincere gratitude, as this has made this period of bereavement much easier. Whatever you did to console our hearts we thank you so much. May God bless you all.