To Those I Leave Behind
I apologise for all the books
and the boxes of papers.
You could just throw them away
without looking. But there are
treasures among them. Well,
I treasured them. Maybe not you.
Give the books to the Salvos,
I guess. Burn the papers.
Or keep them, thinking you’ll
go through them one day.
You won’t. (I know because some
are your stepfather’s, still unsorted.)
Never mind about my body.
Burn it of course, but don't worry
with funerals and things. I won’t
be in it any more. I won’t care.
I don’t demand respect for my
empty husk! Still, if you feel a need…
Yes, I was always sentimental
about Things. Please find good homes
for my peacock feathers, my shells,
my collections of stones, my crystals.
Don’t chuck my teddy bears in the bin.
Find them some loving children.
I had adventures. I loved much.
I did all the things, even the ones
that scared me (some only once).
I got everything I wanted. I made
poetry and magic. I was a healer.
I laughed and cried. I had good friends.
I made mistakes and I learned.
I lived long. I loved beauty.
I was here! I always knew life itself
was the gift: feast and enough.
Look for me in oceans and rivers,
in mountains and trees, in sunsets….
Written for Weekly Scribblings #37: Last Messages (my own prompt) at Poets and Storytellers United, inviting people to imagine their final message to the world.
I love the idea of the little things that brought you joy going on to make new people happy. LOL, I hope my family burns any to-do lists I happen to leave behind, and that they roast marshmallows over the flames.
ReplyDeleteWhat an excellent thought! (Smile.) You should leave instructions to that effect.
DeleteYour poem resonates with me, Rosemary. I too would have to apologise for
ReplyDeletebooks, boxes of papers, the ornaments and bits and pieces on my study shelves, but hope that my husband and daughter would find some treasure.
I love the lines:
‘Look for me in oceans and rivers,
in mountains and trees, in sunsets…’
I love the sense of giving back to the world - and the magical sending
ReplyDeleteWell, I guess if ANY poem could stand as an example on how to write the perfect jisei, this would be IT! Wonderful work, Rosemary; sentiments I'd bet many of us share, but expressed like few of us can. Blew me away.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for hosting/prompting! Have a great day.
Yes it is the many little things in life that make it so worthwhile. Giving in life is so important for then people will always remember you
ReplyDeleteEvery April, around my birthday, I rewrite a poem I started drafting in my teens. It began with a few lines during one uncle's funeral--everyone was fighting over rites and possessions, and I never wanted them to do that over my cooling flesh. Those first lines were so angry--like most things during adolescence, I guess. Not today. After living a few decades, my poem reads more like yours. And I always smile while I add things to it (and often take things out). The following of your lines sing a song my heart and soul knows:
ReplyDelete"I was here! I always knew life itself
was the gift: feast and enough."
This is just stunning, Rosemary.
Love this for all it's beauty and truth!
ReplyDelete"I got everything I wanted. I made
ReplyDeletepoetry and magic. I was a healer"
This is so faithfilled and contented, i would luv to feature it in my October series of quotes at Facebook
Much💛love
Thanks, Gillena. Please do; that would be lovely.
DeleteSo much to digest in this most perfect of farewell poems ~~ I love it.
ReplyDeleteOh Rosemary, this is wonderful. You've touched all the important points of a life well lived. I know your descendants will treasure your memory!
ReplyDeleteI believe every word, Rosemary. I too have things saved plus I am a hoarder saving things like bottles and boxes. What for?
ReplyDeleteThank you fore the prompt, it was nice to write. I started last night but finished tonight. It isn't quite like I wanted but I had to stop.
Cheers,
..
Look for me in oceans and rivers...lovely... my kin visit me there too...beautiful poem
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful. <3
ReplyDelete"‘Look for me in oceans and rivers,
ReplyDeletein mountains and trees, in sunsets"
I hope my "left-behinds" look in those same spots for me.
Love the collections! I've got giraffes, shells, and loads of paper
that no one will know what to do with. Ha! Ha!