On the Death of the Beloved
On the death of the Beloved
___________________________
Though we need to weep your loss,
You dwell in that safe place in our hearts,
... Where no storm or might or pain can reach you.
Your love was like the dawn
Brightening over our lives
Awakening beneath the dark
A further adventure of colour.
The sound of your voice
Found for us
A new music
That brightened everything.
Whatever you enfolded in your gaze
Quickened in the joy of its being;
You placed smiles like flowers
On the altar of the heart.
Your mind always sparkled
With wonder at things.
Though your days here were brief,
Your spirit was live, awake, complete.
We look towards each other no longer
From the old distance of our names;
Now you dwell inside the rhythm of breath,
As close to us as we are to ourselves.
Though we cannot see you with outward eyes,
We know our soul's gaze is upon your face,
Smiling back at us from within everything
To which we bring our best refinement.
Let us not look for you only in memory,
Where we would grow lonely without you.
You would want us to find you in presence,
Beside us when beauty brightens,
When kindness glows
And music echoes eternal tones.
When orchids brighten the earth,
Darkest winter has turned to spring;
May this dark grief flower with hope
In every heart that loves you.
May you continue to inspire us:
To enter each day with a generous heart.
To serve the call of courage and love
Until we see your beautiful face again
In that land where there is no more separation,
Where all tears will be wiped from our mind,
And where we will never lose you again.
John O'Donohue
___________________________
Though we need to weep your loss,
You dwell in that safe place in our hearts,
... Where no storm or might or pain can reach you.
Your love was like the dawn
Brightening over our lives
Awakening beneath the dark
A further adventure of colour.
The sound of your voice
Found for us
A new music
That brightened everything.
Whatever you enfolded in your gaze
Quickened in the joy of its being;
You placed smiles like flowers
On the altar of the heart.
Your mind always sparkled
With wonder at things.
Though your days here were brief,
Your spirit was live, awake, complete.
We look towards each other no longer
From the old distance of our names;
Now you dwell inside the rhythm of breath,
As close to us as we are to ourselves.
Though we cannot see you with outward eyes,
We know our soul's gaze is upon your face,
Smiling back at us from within everything
To which we bring our best refinement.
Let us not look for you only in memory,
Where we would grow lonely without you.
You would want us to find you in presence,
Beside us when beauty brightens,
When kindness glows
And music echoes eternal tones.
When orchids brighten the earth,
Darkest winter has turned to spring;
May this dark grief flower with hope
In every heart that loves you.
May you continue to inspire us:
To enter each day with a generous heart.
To serve the call of courage and love
Until we see your beautiful face again
In that land where there is no more separation,
Where all tears will be wiped from our mind,
And where we will never lose you again.
John O'Donohue
Replies
Very moving...thank you! Love to you and Andy, Linda
Lonely without you....Yes!...No, Look to the beauty, brightness, kindness, hope, a generous heart, courage and love. Thanks, Hugs from Peggy
That\'s lovely. Thank you for sharing it with us all Sarah. The last line would be pretty good! All of it is beautiful & perfect Thank you xxx Love kriss
Dearest Sarah, each line is more beautiful, and became more alive for me than the last.... This is a beautiful, perfect, honest poem of love and hope and inspiration.
Let me not look for Kala only in memory, but let me find her in presence; with me as beauty brightens and kindness glows~~
May your today be filled with bright beauty and glowing kindness as you, Sarah, have filled mine.
Thank you for this poem and thank you for being here with us Sarah. You are a gift and a treasure.
What a reunion it will be where nothing will ever feel lost again. I rest in that and will be pondering the idea of Douglas and his presence along with me in the creating of new memories rather than \"what he is missing\" because he is no longer \"here.\"
May Andy and Douglas continue to infuse their moms with the courage to open their hearts and hear the call...
Hoping that Florida was a time of renewal and warmth.
Loving care and gratitude always for your journals. They speak to my heart.
XO Joanie
Many lines speak to me. These...
We look towards each other no longer
From the old distance of our names;
Now you dwell inside the rhythm of breath,
As close to us as we are to ourselves.
...are amazing as they remind me that Andy has returned to the Source of all being, that I am part of that Source, and that I have some of his cells still living within me.
Peace, dear mamas. xoxoxo
That\'s perfect - thank you!
Just a beautiful poem. hugs mary ann
you are the last paragraph of this poem Sarah, so much courage and love and a generous heart overflowing.....and you are so very present in your presence.....thank you for sharing the elegiac beauty of this stunning poem.....love
I found peace in he beauty of these words - they serve to remind us that the day will come when tears are something only dimly remembered.
This poem offers so much help, understanding, encouragement. I have found poetry to be the best medicine for this journey. Thanks for sharing another that is so beautiful. love and peace, Roselle
So beautiful....
I agree, it is perfect.
Very touching. Thank you.
I love this, Sarah...Reminds me so much of my children...the gentle delights that using just their voice, (squeeks and squeals too) their gaze...so often opened my jaded eyes to some newfound \"wonder.\" Thanks for sharing this! Love+Heart Hugs, Donna