On Death, Grief, and the Fragility of Life

 

Even before the moment of birth

We are surrounded by death

Before entering the world and leaving the warmth of the womb

Our first home

Even as we first begin to develop and grow our cells die and are replaced 

Death is just one of many inescapable truths 

But there is no need to distress oneself 

Fret not for awareness of death and knowing we're only given so much time to experience and feel things is what gives life meaning

You are temporary but some moments you have feel infinite;

All the pain, sorrow, joy and solace you've ever felt served to make you feel real despite the inevitability of death

We're never guaranteed another day and we can never know how much longer we have with others No matter how young or old still too soon you leave us

 

To my Grandma dearly loved

Your warmth and sweetness beyond compare 

Always there for me when I was young

Where would I be without you?

You were too good for this world 

So I thank you for putting up with all us cantankerous bastards

So loving and kind you were

I wouldn't have made it without you

The real mom I always needed in my life 

I wish I'd been there for you more..

 

To my aunt who never reached 50

You were raucous, strong headed, but funny and kind 

Being unwell of body and mind

Susceptible as you were 

The virus weakened you and proved to be too much for your big and loving heart 

Your three boys loved you so and you live on through them

I miss you, I'm sorry I wasn't there..

 

To my uncle distant and reserved but caring sympathetic you were

Preferring solitude while showing you loved those important to you

For too long you were unfairly stricken with illness, any joy you had in life stripped away too soon

You took too much to ease your pain and sickness but still in the end you were relieved 

Your suffering concluded

Now you rest 

 

To a young girl who I only briefly knew

My niece's very dear friend

A sweet young lady of only 20 

Lost too early succumb to the chaotic joys of youth

Although tumultuous a ray of sunshine you were to those who knew you

So bright and cheerful and ever so kind

On that rooftop you did fall

Through the skylight as if to shine upon us one last time 

A wicked irony

On the floor you did lie

Broken and mangled 

Your soft frail form did succumb from internal damage that had been done

Too gentle for the cruelties of the world from this you were saved

Be at peace sweet young one

 

To the goodbyes never given

Gone but not forgotten

Loved ones who come on and go as we all one day must do

Flowing with the sands of time

We all return to dust 

But until then I carry this torch for you

Farewell.