Charmed Chaos
Musings on Life, Love, and Linguine-Poetry & Writing
Grey Rain
Closed coffin, no last look only to remember
your face–
those eyes that could mesmerize
with one arresting ocean blue glance
A tiny breath, for if I breathe
too much–
I’ll drift away into the memories
that haunt me to this day
The tears will come spilling, falling
grey rain–
shrouding, fading the brilliant sun
whenever I hear this mournful song.
©2021 Linda Lee Lyberg
Author’s Note: This song was played at my husband’s funeral and even now, 25 years later it is one that gets me every time I hear it, no matter where I am. He was a musician and used to sing this to me.
dVerse Poetics: Cry Me a River
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Charmed Chaos 
The songs that are tied to such memories are the one that actually are the saddest of all… the joy and the sorrow are both there.
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Yes, the two combined are so powerful. Thank you Bjorn.
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One of my favourite Beatles songs, Linda. I can’t imagine how you must feel when you hear it. The tiny breath says it all.
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Thank you Kim. One of mine too in spite of what it evokes.
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Nice lines: “I’ll drift away into the memories
that haunt me to this day”. It has been a long time since I’ve heard “In My Life”.
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Thank you Frank.
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Great song Linda. This was heartbreaking.
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Thank you Drew. It is a lovely song.
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What a heart wrenching poem Linda, and one of the most tender songs of remembrence.
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Thank you Rob.
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One of the best of the Beatles harmonies. Quite a choice for the emotional trigger; good job.
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Thank you Glenn.
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…for if I breathe too much – Oh, this gets me. The Beatles – they are truly a gift to us and look how young… sigh. This has such a sweet melody – I don’t think I’ve ever heard it before – I can see why it holds such a special place.
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Yes, it’s so beautiful. Thank you kindly Margaret.
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I understand how this song could revive buried emotions of loss.
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Yes. Thank you Ken.
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I played this song on the guitar for a high school choir concert, but never really felt it until now. The love, and as you say, the drifting. That drifting can take us away, yes, but for some it is a therapeutic journey: to feel everything. Thank you, Linda.
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How lovely you play guitar. Yes, I agree with you Amaya. I believe it is essential to feel everything in times of anguish and loss.
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Linda, this is so beautifully penned and I can feel the sorrow bleeding out of you in this piece. God Bless You!
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Thank you Beckie. You are so kind.
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Beautiful Linda! Your middle verse captures it all!
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Thank you Dwight.
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Loved the Beetles song as well!
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Yes, one of my favorites.
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My heart aches when I read your poem and hear the song and think of him singing it to you. He is there, and this song is the key that takes you to him.
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Thank you Jade.
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You are welcome.
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Now I must take a little breath, Linda! Thanks for sharing this painful, yet precious, memory.
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Thank you for the kind words Lynn.
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…with a hug for you.
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You are so sweet!
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I’m sorry, but this is the last one I’m going to be able to read now, because you’ve made me cry – again – and I need a break from this prompt! Such a beautiful song, and it is sad, but it is at least about having lived life to the full, I think. Your middle stanza captures grief perfectly.
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Thank you Sarah.
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We all find ways that works for us separately, in coping with grief, losing the people we loved and lost in this life, and, there’s no time frame to which this needs to be finished up with, there’s, NO way any of us can hurry ourselves in making ourselves heal back up properly, we can only, put one foot in front of the other, and keep going without the ones we loved and lost in this life.
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Thank you so much for your thoughtful words.
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I love that song. Full of memories ♥️
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Yes, thank you.
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The music played at funerals always comes back to haunt us. Beautiful words.
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Thank you Jane.
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You’ve captured the rawness of the grief, and at the same time, the things that remain and comfort, like a glance.
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Thank you V.J.
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You are welcome!
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Wow, and a song that is indeed very moving for me, and your words also moving, but all the more knowing the back story you provide.
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Thank you so much.
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Most welcome
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A haunting song under any circumstances…with memories both bitter and sweet. Grey rain, indeed. (K)
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Thank you.
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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Thanks Chuck!
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I am so very sorry for your loss. My brother died 30 years ago, at the age of 51. At a recent visit with my beloved sister-in-law she said these words, “there really is no closure.” It reminds me of the quotation by Gibran that Amaya used in her prompt:
“When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart and you shall see that in truth, you are weeping for that which has been your delight.”
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Thank you. Yes, Lillian. Your sister-in-law is wise for that is how it is. There is no closing of the book, you read through it over and over and it becomes a part of who you are. The Gibran quote is so beautifully accurate.
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The tiny breath, the deep cascade that follows, grief is the intrinsic flip side of love. We would not trade it. So lovely. Thank you.
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Thank you kindly!
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