Charmed Chaos
Musings on Life, Love, and Linguine-Poetry & Writing
What is Death?
A dying friend once asked of me, what is death?
You’re a poet can you tell me please, what should I expect?
Is it the tears that fill my heavy eyes, while watching a beautiful sunrise not knowing where I belong?
Is it the flash of the sinking sun a sign that this day and life now done and soon the angel of darkness comes?
Is it gazing at the Strawberry moon so long I hear it’s mournful tune and begin to croon the saddest song?
Is it the spark of light from a falling star, another dying soul searching afar, answering the death bells’ gong?
I paused and pondered all he said, clasped my hands, and bowed my head but before I could answer, he was gone.
And now I pose the question to you, what is it like to live with this final thought that someday your heart will stop?
©2018 Linda Lee Lyberg
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POETS CORNER
Charmed Chaos 
Reblogged this on The Militant Negro™.
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🙏🏻😊🌹🌺✌🏼😊
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I do not know what death is. I say and watched my mother staying for several months. But I do know what it is not. Seems a lot of us have death in the brain this go around!
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Yes, it does.
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I really like the delicate and lightness of tone here – when addressing such a subject – refreshing to read – thank you…
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Thank you! I am happy you enjoyed it.
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I don’t know though I have seen it up close very recently ~ Someday we will know, all in good time ~
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Thank you Grace. Yes, we will.
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Wow! Very good!
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Thank you!
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I’ve seen too much of dying, death and funerals but they told me nothing but to live my life to the fullest and show love from my heart and in my eyes and on my lips.
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As it should be. Thank you.
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You pose good questions very poetically! The feeling of not belonging to any clear sphere must be very lonely for the ill. Thanks much. k.
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Yes, it must. Thank you for your comments. I appreciate you stopping by.
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Interesting question! Most of us feel we are invicible although common sense tells us otherwise!
Dwight
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Yes, that’s true. Thank you Dwight.
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Nice build up to the question at the end.
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Thank you Frank. Appreciate your kind words.
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I love Whitman’s lines about death being not as we thought, but luckier. I hope he’s right! I enjoyed the wonderings in this poem.
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Thank you so much.
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Intense contemplation, Luv the sunset imagery
much love…
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Thank you! I appreciate your kind words.
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A question we will all get the answer to but not be able to share. I’d like to think it will be ‘… the flash of the sinking sun a sign that this day and life now done’ or ‘…the spark of light from a falling star’.
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Yes, myself as well Kim. Thank you for your thoughts.
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This is so poignant!💜 Especially like “Is it the spark of light from a falling star, another dying soul searching afar, answering the death bells’ gong?”💜
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Thank you Sanaa!
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Poignant, profound, beautiful. Got me misty eyed.
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Oh, thank you Andrew. To know I helped you to feel my words means the world.
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Wow! You described it perfectly. Every line got a nod from me. The last line can only be described by one who’s been there! Your heart stops…. the beats again in a hollow drum.
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Thank you Vivian. So I take it you have. Wow.
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Sadly, yes. It beats with a louder echo after the fact ….a new rhythm I eventually got used to.
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Whoa. I can imagine that would be weird at first.
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Totally
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Actually I do not think we will never know before it happens… we can only hope or fear… (or just accept it)
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Very true. Thanks Bjorn.
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It is an odd thing, but I have witnessed death and the aftermath of death… as a family member and as a stranger brought into the group to assist the terminally ill and their family cope with the before, the now, and the after. I’ve seen death sap a person. I’ve seen approaching death revitalize a patient to the point where they are living at a level beyond those around them. Like snowflakes, each one is unique. And full of mystery. I have witnessed them with silence — the only gift I could give.
Your poem is beautiful!
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Charley- you are blessed to have those experiences. I am sure they were not easy, but something worthwhile seldom is. Thank you for your thoughts and I am happy you enjoyed reading it.
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It’s odd, but it wasn’t really that hard in hindsight. Even being at my grandmother’s side as she passed, I felt — in my early twenties — it was part of life. Perhaps I’ve somehow become in touch with my more primitive side.
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I have dealt with so much death both senseless and natural that I accept it as well. It is a part of life.
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I believe death is this body, this shelter, shedding itself, releasing the real me, that never dies to an eternal home. A tender poem you have written, embracing the questions that propagate the very art.
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Thank you for your kind thoughts and words.
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If we are wise and listen… each time we are close to death (others or our own) we learn to treasure each day and live.
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Yes, so true. Thank you for stopping by.
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Well, I’ve lived with that knowledge ever since i was diagnosed with an aneurysm 8 years ago. I’m used to it now. Or maybe I’m just resigned to it. ☺❤
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Well, God bless you Walt. 😊❤️🙏🏻
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He has ☺💛
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😊❤️
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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