When the angel of death
arrives at my bedside,
like the ferryman coming
like the ferryman coming
around the bend of the river,
plying his oar with determination,
pulling alongside
plying his oar with determination,
pulling alongside
and beckoning me in...
When I gaze at him,
my
bed the shore,
wondering how to make
wondering how to make
my earth-bound body
traverse the space between us
without falling...
traverse the space between us
without falling...
I think I will trust that
the air will support me,
entering that bright darkness,
interested in discovering
entering that bright darkness,
interested in discovering
what comes next.
Yes, I think I will
trust.
My life has been a
voyage
of wonder and amazement.
I have made this journey,
I have made this journey,
head tipped back,
and grinning at the sky.
Trees have danced for me,
dogs and babies smiled,
my heart brimming
and grinning at the sky.
Trees have danced for me,
dogs and babies smiled,
my heart brimming
with the dazzle
of this beautiful world,
who performed her best
sunrises and sunsets for me,
draping the mountains
of this beautiful world,
who performed her best
sunrises and sunsets for me,
draping the mountains
with breathtaking mist,
always whispering
"watch this!" and then,
"watch this!"
always whispering
"watch this!" and then,
"watch this!"
I have long loved
the
stories of people
who rose - and rise -
from their heartbreaking situations
with hearts like lions,
walking forth into Whatever Comes
with full hearts, with dignity,
who rose - and rise -
from their heartbreaking situations
with hearts like lions,
walking forth into Whatever Comes
with full hearts, with dignity,
with pride.
No surrender.
No surrender.
Yet when that dark
angel
comes for me,
I think I will surrender.
I will ride that bed-boat
I think I will surrender.
I will ride that bed-boat
out into the cosmos,
transfixed by all the stars,
wrapped in clouds of transformation,
soaring through the heavens,
breath held in awe -
Beautiful Sky-World.
transfixed by all the stars,
wrapped in clouds of transformation,
soaring through the heavens,
breath held in awe -
Beautiful Sky-World.
The river of amazement will
carry me,
as it carried me through this life,
to my next destination,
where I hope I will find loveliness
like that of this world,
where I will meet lost loved ones,
and furry tails will thump in welcome.
as it carried me through this life,
to my next destination,
where I hope I will find loveliness
like that of this world,
where I will meet lost loved ones,
and furry tails will thump in welcome.
At the end, I will say that,
all of my life,
I have loved most this earth
I have loved most this earth
and its beauty.
In trust, I will step into
In trust, I will step into
the ferryman's boat,
ready to see what lies
on that farther shore.
ready to see what lies
on that farther shore.
Well. I may not be that trusting at all. I may flail and moan. LOL. We shall see. I'll report back!
One from 2017, to be shared with the Poetry Pantry at Poets United, where we have fine reading every Sunday morning.
This, this, is still the best poem you've ever written. It draws tears and smiles every time I read it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan. Wow, kind words.
ReplyDeleteYou are the ray of light that pierces the gray clouds and the dark. in that you have touched so many with your whispering words, so many will lift you up so that your transcending soul's journey is neither arduous or filled with angst but usurped by love.
ReplyDeletebeautiful piece, mi amiga
Sherry, I do agree with Susan! If you have to do a poetry reading there sometime, you should choose this poem. It is so good, so deep, so YOU! (And I think it is a poem that many would find meaning in for themselves as well.)
ReplyDeleteThank you, friends. A good idea, Mary, though I get choked up so easily,these days, it is hard to read such pieces out loud. Might try it next writers' group!
ReplyDeleteYes, it is indeed a wonderful, beautiful, joyous poem and my new favourite as well. (And I like the bed-boat, with its reminders of the way one used to go riding out just before - or just after - sleep, in childhood.)
ReplyDeleteIf you rehearse out loud enough in front of the mirror, trying out different intonations, gestures and all, you will be less likely to choke up on the night. (Tip from an old hand, lol.)
I have made this journey,
ReplyDeletehead tipped back,
and grinning at the sky... what a positive message on life and how to live it. Bravo.
I love the confidence in this poem and would love it if you returned to tell us about it, but I think it is a personal experience and different for each of us. Maybe we'll meet on the other side and compare.
ReplyDeleteI love the lines:
'I think I will trust that
the air will support me,
entering that bright darkness'
and
'I have made this journey,
head tipped back,
and grinning at the sky.'
When I have written about the ferryman I am trying to outwit him! Perhaps the answer is just get in and ask if he needs help with the oars! This really is a most beautiful poem Sherry; I must have missed it 2017 when I was having my own private battle with him!
ReplyDeleteSuch a moving writ, Sherry, you final stanza, brilliant.
ReplyDeleteThis is deeply poignant, Sherry💖 I agree with Susan your poem truly brought tears and made my heart throb in awe!
ReplyDeleteI hope that boat is a long way in the distance.. you have shared something wonderful
ReplyDeleteThis is the great gift we can give to each other -- the soft voice that says All Is Well and resonates through every troubled nook. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteOh this is beautiful! I want it made into a song and played at my funeral. There's an innocent joy to this that completely captivates me.
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful, Sherry — my new favourite by you. It's so positive and full of life. Whenever the time comes, in some way, we would all be ready or so I wish.
ReplyDelete-HA
i am laughing uproariously at the footnote to your poem. Yes, you may flail and moan, but so what? At least you are moving into the next phase, and that's what's important, and lovely, and true. So flail and moan away, if you must, but just keep moving! :)
ReplyDeleteto face anything with courage and confidence, that's what this lovely poem tells me.
ReplyDeleteLovely poem Sherry. I don't want this played at my funeral because I refuse to have one. I like that you will report back to us about the adventures, love, and peace that go before us into the great void. Keep moving. As must we all no matter how we balk and scream and kick. Face it and take it on the chin. I love this poem of yours.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful; I'll echo the comments about bringing tears to the eyes. :)
ReplyDeleteDear Sherry I'll wait for your report. I think it will not be as you think, or dream, nothing really is. It will be new, something you never thought of. But is will be OK.
ReplyDeleteI would like to think I could trust too--but not really sure about that--I love this Sherry--so full of warmth and serenity!
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of the bed boat and making that cross from the bed onto the ferry without falling in!
ReplyDeleteLove the stunning images and contemplations with which you have colored this lovely - and spiritual extended metaphor. I found myself drifting away on that ferry boat ~ sigh ~
ReplyDeleteThis is a calming and serene piece to linger over.
This is filled with such joy! Just don't report back too soon.
ReplyDeleteIf I loved this poem any more than I do, I might have to marry it. This speaker must know the inside of my head and the right caves inside my heart. At the moment, I'm quite sure that when my time comes, I will surrender. But like you suggest in your note, time will be the best storyteller. We shall see.
ReplyDeleteready to see what lies
ReplyDeleteon that farther shore.
It is great to set the commitment first. Other things will matter less after that! Great Sherry!
Hank
It is certainly a refreshing look at something that usually evokes uncertainty and fear. I haven't quite made such peace with the reaper yet, but this poem shows a vision of hope that I hope to emulate. Thank you.
ReplyDelete