Thursday, October 04, 2007

Not good-bye...

If I should die
before you wake,
grieve not for could
or would.
Rejoice, instead, for had
and did
and heard, and saw
and touched.
Be glad for was,
not sad for never.
Whatever was
cannot be gone.
I'm with you now...
forever.

22 comments:

LBJ said...

That was lovely. My Mom got cancer when I was 4. It returned more than once, and she had multiple surgeries, each time taking more and more of her body but not her spirit. My Dad is Scottish. He's not one for a lot of fuss and emotion though he loved us deeply. I still remember a little poem he wrote and stuck on the fridge for my Mom to see after she'd had a hysterectomy on top of losing most of her lower colon. She was troubled by how he would view her as a woman after those life changing and sometimes ugly procedures I'm sure, but I was too young to comprehend that at the time, I just remember the poem.

It said, in his surprisingly beautiful handwriting.

"Pieces and Parts
May have to Depart,
But you and me
Will always be WE".

She was lucky to have him, and he, her. .

AspergantuS said...

Jean ~ Just my opinion of course, but I think this has to be one of your best pieces, if not the best.

Very Nice!!

Jean said...

Scully - your father sounds like a wonderful man. Thank you for sharing his poem for her. It touched my heart.

Mick - Thanks, dear, you know your opinion means a lot.
I had the first two lines in my notebook for at least a month. Driving me crazy because I desperately wanted to use them in something special. I tried and tried. Nothing. Blocked.
Yesterday, during my 30-minute lunch break, I opened my notebook, picked up my pen, and the rest of it flowed out. I loved it. No editing.
Is it vain of me to say I am proud of it?

RobC said...

Jean... That was thought provoking and beautiful. I am so glad you publish them.

Jean said...

robc - ...and, I am so glad you like them :) Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful Jean.

kdzu said...

Now that's why people read your blog.
Creative, moving, inspired writing from the heart. Awesome!

AspergantuS said...

Vain... Hell no! It's ok to be your worst critic, it has to be equally ok to be your best critic!!

If an athlete is doing the high jump and they've hit a heighth that breaks a world record, don't you think they are proud of their accomplishment?

You've set the bar really high.

Go ahead... jump!!!

Anonymous said...

Great poem! I love to read, but have never gotten hooked on poetry. Occassionally I find a piece that speaks to me. But you have become a regular read for me, which is my way of telling you that your writing is special, and appreciated. Thank you for sharing.

Jean said...

Thank you, Freddie!

Larry - aw...you make me blush, again, my friend.

Mick - You really do make sense.
Thank you, dear man.

jck - I'm so glad you commented! Where are you from?
Your kind words mean a lot. I hope you continue to find meaning here. Thank you, so much.

Joan of Argghh! said...

Just lovely!

Jean said...

Thanks, Joan :)

Anonymous said...

This is so real, so touching, so me... I would like to use this one as part of my quite non-traditional memorial service, to be scheduled...

...with your permission, of course...

boneman said...

Jean, nothing is in vain.

I know.
I've been there.
Vain, Montana. Totally abandoned.

Just a sign when yer comin' into town that sez VAIN.
And, on the back of the sign...
You are now leaving Vain.

Anonymous said...

This is really, really wonderful.

Jean said...

Winston - I am honored...permission granted. You're not going to need it for many years, though, right?

Berry - ha...leave it to you to know a town with the name of Vain. :)

Kim - thanks, dear.

Scott from Oregon said...

Dr. Zuess would have liked this as well as I...

Andrea said...

Isn't it amazing how words put together can form a beautiful picture and stir so much emotion.

Great work here!

Jean said...

Scott - you and Dr. Zuess... mighty fine admiration, there!

Andrea - thank you, m'dear.

Valerie - Still Riding Forward said...

I will be in forever waiting to meet you, Jean!

Anonymous said...

I really, really like this poem. I know I'm repeating myself, but I just printed it out.

Jean said...

Kim - I am flattered!