Bereavement poems/verses

The Heavy Stone

My grief was a heavy stone,

rough and sharp.

Grasping to pick it up

My hands were cut.

Afraid to let go,

I carried it.

While I had my grief

you were not lost.

The rain of my tears

smoothed it.

The wind of my rage

weathered it,

making it round and small.

The cuts in my hands have healed.

Now in my palm it rests,

sometimes almost beautiful,

Sometimes almost you.


Averil Stedeford

Rabindranath Tagore - Farewell My Friends, was a reading at my beloved son,s funeral - it brought some comfort.

I hope so. Its what I try to hold on to. My daughter and I always had a good laugh, mostly terrible dark humour towards the end, but I still sometimes laugh when I think of the things we said.

I will copy it out for my three grandchildren , it may help them remember the love and laughter x

Oh, I am glad, Annie. In a tearful way.

MissA, thank you it is beautiful , as if my beloved daughter was speaking to me , I will treasure it. X

That’s truly lovely nigglynelly I just can’t read any more of this thread it’ll make me cry.

Its ok Annie. Its good to talk about it sometimes, even if its sad, isn't it? Not to wallow, but to acknowledge that it hurts every single day.

So sorry MissA x

Well, that's me in tears, Annie.
A day at a time though, so they say. Baby steps.

Me too MissA, a candle has been blown out and can never be lit again x

When I'm Gone
by Mrs. Lyman Hancock
When I come to the end of my journey
And I travel my last weary mile
Just forget if you can, that I ever frowned
And remember only the smile

Forget unkind words I have spoken
Remember some good I have done
Forget that I ever had heartache
And remember I've had loads of fun

Forget that I've stumbled and blundered
And sometimes fell by the way
Remember I have fought some hard battles
And won, ere the close of the day

Then forget to grieve for my going
I would not have you sad for a day
But in summer just gather some flowers
And remember the place where I lay

And come in the shade of evening
When the sun paints the sky in the west
Stand for a few moments beside me
And remember only my best

This is the one that was read at my daughters funeral. I think its also very fitting for your daughter, Annie, if you dont mind me saying.

Doesn't it just, Annie. Underneath all the coming to terms with, and learning to live with what has happened, beyond the acceptance and knowing that life goes on. For me, I think I will always feel like that x

It is how I feel MissA, it sums up raw grief

Oh I love that one, Annie. I still feel it sums up how I feel, inside.
Thank you all. The funeral is done with now, but I still find comfort in these verses.

Stop all the clocks

W.H. Auden

He/she

I'm not sure if this is quite suitable, MisAdventure, but these words are lovely. Not sure of the author, but possibly Elizabeth Barrett Browning, part of a longer poem I think.

Too soon, too soon comes death to show
We love more deeply than we know.
The rain which fell upon the height,
Too gently to be called delight,
Within the dark vale reappears,
A wild cataract of tears.
And love in life should strive to see
Sometimes what love in death would be.

These are the words that I used for my beloved Husbands Cremation. It was a humanist service as he would never discuss his preferences.
Tony
May your spirt roam free
Through Space Air Land and Sea
Till we meet again
For Eternity
Marie
To me this came from my heart and was my personal goodbye for now. I would love it to be used by anyone else who feels that it is right for them.
Marie

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.

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

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

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

An= and
Net=not

he= my brother
Should proof read

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/

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.