Bereavement poems/verses

I like this one by David Harkins... I would copy and paste, but not sure about copyright rules. I believe the author is still alive.

www.mgs.uk.com/hymns/You%20can%20shed%20tears%20that%20he%20is%20gone.html

I like that, it acknowledges intense sadness but offers a way of coping and hope for the future.

I like that too JoyBloggs also "Stop all the clocks"

Fear no more the heat of the sun.... from Cymbeline.

The Dash. I first came across it here on Gransnet, and had it as a reading at my dad's funeral recently.

joyce.taron.net/the-dash-a-poem-by-linda-ellis/

When our DS died suddenly a few months ago a dear friend put this in a card to us. I still weep every time I read it. It is just how I feel.

I'm Free
Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free, I'm following the path God laid for me.
I took his hand when I heard his call, I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day, To laugh, to love, to work, to play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way, I've found that peace at the end of the day.
If my parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, Ah, yes, these things too I will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow, I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My Life's been full, I savoured much, Good friends, good times, a loved one' touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me, God wanted me now, He set me free.

Janice M. Fair-Salters

I hadn’t heard either of those MamaCaz and Nonnie, beautiful pieces of writing. Words can mean such a lot in sad times can’t they.

I saw the dash when i was looking today. Was going to suggest it too.
Nonnie, my condolences on the loss of your dear son.

Back in the summer when I was laid up with a broken hip I was watching War Walks which I found very moving. I composed the following, not very good, but describes how I felt.
'Dear stranger pause as you go by,
For here lie young men sent to die.
The years have passed, the grass is green,
The carnage no more to be seen.
But if you dig deep you will discover
Exactly where those boys took cover.
So stranger pause upon your way
And whisper a prayer for them today.

John Dryden

Happy the man and happy he alone,
He who can call today his own.
He who secure within can say
Tomorrow do thy worst for I have lived today.
Be fair or foul or rain or shine
The joys I have possessed this day are mine.
Not heaven itself over the past has power
But what has been has been and I have had my hour.

A bit defiant rather tha comforting maybe.

I also like Invictuswith it's lines

My head is bloody but unbowed
and
I am the master of my fate
I am the captain of my soul.

The Ship
By Bishop Brent

A ship sails and I stand watching till she fades on the horizon and someone at my side says She is gone.

Gone where? Gone from my sight, that is all. She is just as large now as when I last saw her. Her diminished size and total loss from my sight is in me, not in her.

And just at that moment, when someone at my side says she is gone, there are others who are watching her coming over their horizon and other voices take up a glad shout – There she comes!

That is what dying is. An horizon and just the limit of our sight.

Lift us up O Lord, that we may see furth

I find it difficult to accept the concept of reunions in heaven and these words speak to me of returning to the cosmos.
I don't want to offend those of faith but I am aware that others feel as I do. I feel it expresses a simple truth which might help children and, although sentimental, has a basis in science.

I am the stars, twinkling at night
I am the moon, glowing and bright
I am the sunshine, rising at dawn
Giving you light and keeping you warm
I am the rainfall, caressing your cheek
Sending you rainbows to brighten your week
I am the wind, drying your tears
Blowing away troubles, soothing your fears
I am the clouds so look to the sky
Check out the shapes as I'm passing by
I am that butterfly hovering above
That feather, that robin, bringing you love

That's a lovely poem mcem. I shall copy it into my book of verse to read on occasion.

Remember This
What you were, you are
What you had, you have
Be still
Close your eyes
Breathe
Listen for His footfall in your heart
He walks within you

On Children
by Kahlil Gibran

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.

When tomorrow starts without me
And I'm not there to see
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
filled with tears for me.

I wish so much you wouldn't cry
the way you did today.
Whilst thinking of the many things
we didn't get to say.

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.

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.

This was the verse we chose for DH's memorial cards, and the following was for Mum:

Weep not for me though I am gone into that gentle night.
Grieve if you will, but not for long upon my soul's sweet flight.
I am at peace.
My soul's at rest.
There is no need for tears,
For with your love I was so blessed for all those many years.
There is no pain, I suffer not.
The fear now all is gone.
Put now these things out of your thoughts
In your memory I live on.
Remember not my fight for breath.
Remember not the strife.
Please do not dwell upon my death,
But celebrate my life.

This a poem written by my daughter for her friend who lost her husband to cancer at the age of 28 (one year anniversary)

Its a bit long but I thought it was beautiful

My heart it was left hurting
The day you went away
These invisible wounds, I cannot hide
Are one year old today

There's so much I'd like to say to you
Many questions I could ask
My face could tell so many hurts
But I try to wear my mask

I wear this mask most days now
The face that shows a smile
From time to time the mask will slip
And I might cry a while

I talk about you often
And remember blissful times
My happy place, it lies within
The memories of my mind

To the world you are a hero
Of the bravest kind
You used your super powers
And fused your heart to mine

Even superman showed weakness
When faced with krypyonite
But you showed the world your courage
You fought the bravest fight

I am amazed at just how selfless
Any human man could be
You were glad to carry burdens
If it meant protecting me

Last night I dreamt a vivid dream
That you held me by the hand
The sun shone down on the bluest sea
And we walked across the sand

You reassured me, I would be ok
With bailey by my side
"I am always here to protect you both"
You said, then softley smiled

You told me I mustn't fear the change
To our home, our life, our things
Loved ones can hold you anywhere
When they fly with angel wings

Your human self was perfect
You were handsome, brave and wise
But your soul is of a beauty
No human words describe

I know you'll hold my hand again
And I'll dream of you tonight
And we'll walk on sands of blissful dreams
Where you shine with heavens light.

Can I just say I am sorry as reading your initial post I think you are looking for words to put in a card? The poem is not really appropriate. My condolences to you too.

I've just posted on Maw Broons thread but I heard Brian Patten read it an he said it was a poem that had a life of its own. People changed the gender or made it fit their sorrow and he said it was fine by him. He has a strong 'pudlian accent but I've net heard a room as still as when he read it. It was more poignant for me as he knew BP when they were both young on the ? Bootle Times and my brother was dying.
www.poemhunter.com/poem/so-many-different-lengths-of-time/

An= and
Net=not

he= my brother
Should proof read

Thanks blugal, and everyone. They're all beautiful, and made me cry.

I have left instructions for this poem to be read at my funeral. I decided on that when I first read it at the age of 8. It impressed me so much

Requiem Robert Louis Stevenson

Under the wide and starry sky
Dig the grave and let me lie.
Glad did I live and gladly die
And I lay me down with a will.

These be the words you grave for me:
Here he lies where he wants to be.
Home is the sailor, home from the sea,
The hunter home from the hill

TIME

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

Henry Van Dyke

This is one that always moves and comforts me too Stansgran. I also heard Brian Patten read it ~ at the Everyman in Liverpool. I also love many of the other poems posters have shared on here. Thank you.