Poems & Selections

Death Is Nothing at All

I have only slipped away into the next room.
I am I, and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.
Call me by my old familiar name,
Speak to me in the easy way you always used.
Put no difference into your tone
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effort,
without the ghost of a shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was;
there is absolutely unbroken continuity….
Why should I be out of your mind because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you for an interval,
Somewhere very near, just around the corner.
All is well

Here, a million wounded souls are yearning just to touch you and be healed; Gather all your people, and hold them to your heart. We remember how you loved us to your death, and still we celebrate, for you are with us here; And we believe that we will see you when you come, in […]
Please don’t say that I gave up, say that I gave in. Don’t say I lost the battle, For it was God’s battle to lose or win. Please don’t say how good I was, but that I did my best. Just say I tried to do what’s right, to give the most I could not […]
When life as opening buds is sweet, And golden hopes the fancy greet, And Youth prepares his joys to meet, – – Alas! how hard it is to die! When just is seized some valued prize, And duties press, and tender ties Forbid the soul from earth to rise, – – How awful then it […]
When I must leave you For a little while- Please do not grieve And shed wild tears And hug your sorrow to you Through the years, But start out bravely With a gallant smile; And for my sake And for my name Live on and do All things the same, Feed not your loneliness On […]