On Death

[Dana Renee]

And we say
in so many ways
that it'll never happen to us
we leave without saying goodbye
we arrive and immediately begin
the afternoon routine
we pretend being right
is more important
than love
kindness
and understanding

[candlewitch]

hello,

so sad, and so very true!

always, Cat

[nsongao]

"And we say
in so many ways
that it'll never happen to us"

The possibilities of this line drew me in right away. I love simple expressions like these, easy to read not so much to understand. The complexity in such simple lines is why I write. Thank you for the write. Just remember: not everyone pretends.

[JASON]

Reading this makes me hope (really hope) that neither my wife or kids
die before their time...I cannot imagine how it must feel or what I would do...
The tragedy I think is that life just goes on - it doesn't even pause for you ?
I suppose love, kindness and understanding take a back seat...

[jayn]

For me your poem raises philosophical issues about how we regard the cycle of life and death, as well as focussing on a rather common human failure to love while we can. Beautifully written.

[Yobousensou]

Quite so, as life has proved.

[win-der-mere]

Your few scant yet loaded words summarize me to the hilt, so you can imagine how much I was moved as I read them.

[jsol]

it's so easy to never let yourself realize anything potentially painful, to just pretend that the poisons and scary things that share the world with us are just too difficult and potentially emotionally reactive, especially your own death, that so often, so many of us, just tell ourselves to some degree that ignorance is bliss and continue to live each day as if the inevitable is only possible when/if it happens to someone else.

[riversidepoet]

so true, we never know when our last good-bye, our last kiss, our last hug , etc. will come, life is too short to contain anything but love, thanks for sharing , so very well spoken, may God bless

[Dana Renee]

Thank you all for your input on this. A few coworkers have experienced loss within the past few months and it has really had an impact on me, having lost my husband a few years ago. Life is just so unpredictable. Trying to live it well and remember to strive to show love to those in my life! It's so easy to take things for granted. Take care!

[Ladywildalice]

I have no proof for the statement I am about to make, only an honest, gut feel as to its accuracy, but it is my belief that REGRET is probably the biggest pain all must endure. And I think REGRET becomes more focused, more intense in its shading, the older we get. Live life so as never to feel regret for chances not taken, love never shared, words of the heart and mind, unspoken, proof given that you care. Lost chances to extend a hand, a gentle word, a caring touch, days flown in which your dreams were hidden away, and fears came out to play. Lovely work and most genuinely appreciated.

[Dana Renee]

I have no proof for the statement I am about to make, only an honest, gut feel as to its accuracy, but it is my belief that REGRET is probably the biggest pain all must endure. And I think REGRET becomes more focused, more intense in its shading, the older we get. Live life so as never to feel regret for chances not taken, love never shared, words of the heart and mind, unspoken, proof given that you care. Lost chances to extend a hand, a gentle word, a caring touch, days flown in which your dreams were hidden away, and fears came out to play. Lovely work and most genuinely appreciated.

:) So true Lady - I completely agree! Always appreciate your words so much!

[Versus]

You emphasized perhaps the most important things in life which are understanding, a helping hand and family values. These things can be forgotten quickly in this fast world ran by money and survival instinct. The poem sounds rather simple but you have touched a much deeper issue about selfishness. It was nice to have read your poem which also made me to positively reassert my attitude.

[SilentTears]

Absolutely stunning. I re-read this probably 10 times. It's so true it makes your heart hurt. I can feel the regret and the longing burns. It makes me a little angry that we are the way we are. But I also wonder how we would live and get along if we didn't have some sort of healthy distance from such a finality as death.

I think that's how madness starts. Quietly and without pomp. Someone too tired to put on the rose-colored glasses anymore because the emptiness that's left won't allow them to work.

[Dana Renee]

I've been gone for awhile, but thank you all for your kind words and insight on this!

Also, this was my first time getting the Spotlight! <3 :D

[Versus]

(...)

Also, this was my first time getting the Spotlight! <3 :D

A first-timer, eh? Well, there is a first time for everything. And thank God for that!