Funeral Poems
Here you’ll find a wide selection of funeral poems and readings, chosen to suit many different people, relationships and styles of farewell. Wherever possible, I have credited the original author, respecting the provenance and ownership of each piece.
With hundreds of funeral poems to choose from, I have grouped them into categories to make finding the right words a little easier. Select a category below to jump directly to that section.
Popular Poems
A Place Meant For You Alone
There is a place in my heart for you alone,
Part of my life only you can own;
The tears in my eyes I can wipe away,
But the love in my heart will always stay;
May the winds of love blow softly
and whisper for you to hear
How much I will miss you,
For to me you are so dear –
Forever loved.
A Successful Man
That man is a success, who has lived well,
laughed often and loved much;
Who has gained the respect of thoughtful men and women,
and the love of children;
Who has filled his niche and accomplished his task,
Who leaves the world better that when he found it,
Who never lacked appreciation of the world’s beauty
or failed to express it;
Who looked for the best in others
and gave the best he had.
After Glow
I’d like the memory of me
to be a happy one.
I’d like to leave an after glow
of smiles when life is done,
I’d like to leave an echo
whispering softly down the ways,
Of happy times and laughing times
and bright and sunny days.
I’d like the tears of those who
grieve, to dry before the sun,
Of happy memories that I leave
When life is done.
A Gentle Man
A happy nature, a kindly word
Are two of the praises we have heard.
A cheerful spirit, a helping hand:
These accolades portray the man.
He helped the weary tread the road –
Shared the burden of their load.
Spoke well of everyone he knew.
Truly noble, good and true.
His sense of humour, his lovely smile
Made each day seem more worthwhile.
He enjoyed the simple way to live;
Keen to please and quick to give.
Friends he had, by the score;
A close knit family to adore.
A brother to his fellow man.
Above all, ________ was a gentle man.
At The End Of Life
At the end of life, we shall be remembered
Not for how much pleasure we gained
But for how much love we gave,
Not how full it was of success
But how full it was of sacrifice
Not how happy we were
But how helpful we were
Not how ambition was achieved
But how much love was served.
Irish Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Count Your Blessings
Count your blessings one by one
When dawn appears and day has just begun
They will light your heart with happiness
Make each hour bright and bring you gladness
Count your blessings one by one
When twilight falls and toil of day is done
And in sweet dreams they’ll come again to you
If you will count your blessings each day through
Count you blessings while you may
For we are here but little time to stay
All around are hearts sincere and true
Lovely things abound just waiting for you
Count your blessings while you may
The big or small, whichever comes your way
For then you’ll find this world a place of love
If you will count your blessings from above
Dear Friends I Go
Dear family and friends I go, but do not weep.
I’ve lived my life, so full and deep,
Throughout my life. I gave my best.
I earned my keep, Ive earned my rest.
I never tried to be great or grand,
I tried to be a helping hand.
If helped in a team, if I helped on my own.
I was more than repaid by good family and friends I have known.
And if I went the extra mile. I did it with pleasure,
It was all worthwhile.
If I brightened your path, then let it be
Now sadly I leave you and travel alone
Through mystic veil to the great unknown.
With such beautiful memories
That will forever be the way that I hope
You’ll remember me.
Death Is Nothing At All
Canon Scott Holland
I have only slipped away into the next room,
I am I and you are you,
whatever we were to each other that we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name;
speak to me in the easy way,
which 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, and pray for me.
Let my name be forever the same as it always was,
let it be spoken without an effort,
without the ghost of a shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it always was;
there is absolutely unbroken continuity.
I am but waiting for you, for an interval,
somewhere very near,
just around the corner.
All is well.
Feel No Guilt In Laughter
Feel no guilt in laughter, he’d know how much you care.
Feel no sorrow in a smile that he is not here to share.
You cannot grieve forever; he would not want you to.
He’d hope that you could carry on the way you always do.
So, talk about the good times and the way you showed you cared,
The days you spent together, all the happiness you shared.
Let memories surround you, a word someone may say
Will suddenly recapture a time, an hour, a day,
That brings him back as clearly as though he were still here,
And fills you with the feeling that he is always near.
For if you keep those moments, you will never be apart
And he will live forever locked safely within your heart.
Gone Too Soon
Wanda M Brittain
I may have gone far too soon but I really lived my life my way
Because of who I was. I knew love and I knew pain
And I guess you could say that I certainly did it my way,
Somewhat like a runaway train.
I seized each and every moment, doing what I wanted without fear
I was a good Kiwi joker after all, so I was always one to chase the action!
I tried everything, chasing my dreams, breaking a few rules in the process
And causing more than a bit of grief, and I certainly did things to my satisfaction.
Now I’m gone and you are left to grieve and I’m sorry for that
Because there was so much more to do, so much more.
I guess it just wasn’t meant to be. I may have gone too soon, I know,
Yet what I leave behind is my eternal love, the good memories to be recalled
And the hope that in time, you’ll forgive me for going so soon
And let me live on in the hearts where I truly belong.
Gone Too Soon
You took chances once too many times.
As a child you thought – “Oh no, never me.”
Life is a gift, given and taken at some unknown time.
Your time came too soon – your life was over in a flash.
The fun you shared, the joy you brought,
All just a memory – behind us.
Her Journey’s Just Begun
Don’t think of her as gone away
Her journey’s just begun
Life holds so many facets
This earth is only one.
Just think of her as resting
From the sorrows and the fears
In a place of warmth and comfort
Where there are no days and years
Think how she must be wishing
That we could know today
How nothing but our sadness
Can really pass away.
And think of her as living
In the hearts of those she touched
For nothing loved is ever lost
And she was loved so much.
He Has Achieved Success
He has achieved success who has lived well,
laughed often and loved much:
who has enjoyed the trust of pure women,
the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children;
who has filled the niche and accomplished his task;
who has left the world better than he found it;
whether by an improved poppy,
a perfect poem, or a rescued soul;
who has never lacked appreciation of Earth’s beauty
or failed to express it;
who has always looked for the best in others
and given the best he had.
Whose life was an inspiration;
Whose memory a benediction.
I Didn’t Get A Chance To Say Goodbye
Nicholas Gordon
I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye To you,
to tell you that I loved you, to say
What now must be one long, unbroken cry of pain,
now that at last you’ve gone away.
I cannot tell you what a joy it was
To be the one to tend you in your need.
The burden was a gift, for giving does
Not burden one who loves, though loving bleed.
I wish I could have been with you when you,
Perhaps aware, perhaps not, turned towards death
Alone, with no one there to wonder to,
To share your fear, your hand, your one last breath.
I wish, I wish, I wish . . . but it is done,
And now I must surrender what is gone.
If Tears Could Build A Stairway
If tears could build a stairway and thoughts a memory lane
I’d walk right up to heaven and bring you home again
No Farewell words were spoken No time to say good-bye
You were gone before I knew it And only God knows why.-
My heart’s still active in sadness And secret tears still flow
What it meant to lose you No one can ever know.
But now I know you want us To mourn for you no more
To remember all the happy times Life still has much in store.-
Since you’ll never be forgotten I pledge to you today
A hallowed place within my heart Is where you’ll always stay. –
God knows why, with chilling touch,
Death gathers those we love so much,
And what now seems so strange and dim,
Will all be clear, when we meet Him.
Let Me Go
We’ve known lots of pleasure
At times endured pain
We’ve live in the sunshine
And walked in the rain
But now we’re separated
And for a time, apart
But I am not alone
You’ve forever in my heart
Death always seems so sudden
And it’s always sure
But what is oft’ forgotten
It is not without a cure
Now there’s many things for you to do
And lots of ways to grow
So get busy, be happy and live your life
Miss me, but let me go.
Look for me in Rainbows
Time for me to go now, I won’t say goodbye;
Look for me in rainbows, way up in the sky.
In the morning sunrise when all the world is new,
Just look for me and love me, as you know I loved you.
Time for me to leave you, I won’t say goodbye;
Look for me in rainbows, high up in the sky.
In the evening sunset, when all the world is through,
Just look for me and love me, and I’ll be close to you.
It won’t be forever, the day will come and then
My loving arms will hold you, when we meet once again
Time for us to part now, we won’t say goodbye;
Look for me in rainbows, shining in the sky.
Every waking moment, and all your whole life through
Just look for me and love me, as you know I loved you.
Just wish me to be near you,
And I’ll be there with you.
Love Came First
Donna Ashworth
You don’t move on after loss, but you must move with. You must shake hands with grief, welcome her in, for she lives with you now. Pull her a chair at the table and offer her comfort. She is not the monster you first thought her to be. She is love. And she will walk with you now, stay with you now, peacefully. If you let her.
And on the days when your anger is high, remember why she came, remember who she represents. Remember. Grief came to you my friend because love came first. Love came first…
When At Heart You Should Be Sad
When at heart you should be sad,
Pondering the joys we had,
Listen and keep very still.
If the lowing from the hill
Or the toiling of a bell
Do not serve to break the spell,
Listen: you may be allowed
To hear my laughter from a cloud.
Remember
Christina Rossetti
Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day.
You tell me of our future that you planned
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.
Roses
If roses grow in heaven,
Lord please pick a bunch for me,
Place them in my Mother’s arms
and tell her they’re from me.
Tell her I love her and miss her,
and when she turns to smile,
place a kiss upon her cheek
and hold her for awhile.
Because remembering her is easy,
I do it every day,
but there’s an ache within my heart
that will never go away.
Remember Me
Emma Love
Remember me when I am gone away
Gone from your embrace
And when you can no longer hold my hand
Or hear my voice, or see my face
Love also, cannot be touched or seen
And yet it still remains
And so, remember me
And as Autumn turns the leaves to gold
And its feels like…
As the day’s are closing in
It’s not yet the end for you my friend
So live life well
And remember me
When Winters shadows cast long and dark
And as the clouds roll in
Think of me by the fireside, I’ll be close
Let your smile warm the cold
As you remember me
As spring awakens nature from its sleep
And blossoms bloom on every tree
It’ll bring new life and hope to you
Grow Strong and talk my friend
And remember me
And summer days so hot and long
Enjoy the cicadas thrumming song
Enjoy the sun, the sand, the vast blue seas
Remember times we shared
Remember me
And now the Christmas table has an empty chair
But smile when I’m remembered there
As tinsel and lights adorn the tree
My love stills surrounds you
Remember me
Remember me in your heart, your thoughts
Your memories of the times we shared
The times we cried, the times we fought
The times we laughed
Just Remember me
Stop The Clocks
H. Auden
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.
He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last for ever: I was wrong.
The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
For nothing now can ever come to any good.
Success
To laugh often and love much;
To win the respect of intelligent persons
And the affection of children;
To earn the approbation of honest critics
And to endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To give of one’s self;
To leave the world a little better,
Whether by a healthy child,
A garden patch
Or a redeemed social condition;
To have played and laughed with enthusiasm
And sung with exultation;
To know that even one life has breathed easier
Because you have lived –
This is to have succeeded.
The Stars Have Called You Home
Donna Ashworth
The stars have called you home, love.
Up high, so far away.
I think they missed your brilliance,
they just couldn’t let you stay.
You’ve shone that light of yours, love.
on all the lives you touched.
We’ve known your joy for years and years,
I guess they thought ‘enough’.
They need your light up there now.
This world grows ever dark.
Your passion will rain down like love,
dripped into every heart.
The stars have called you home, now
we’ll miss you, every day.
And every night we’ll scour the skies,
to watch you, where you lay.
And when dark clouds are gathering,
and air’s too cold to breathe.
The life you lived will warm our bones,
and your star will help us see.
The Measure of a Man
The measure of a man is not determined
By his show of outward strength
Or the volume of his voice
Or the thunder of his actions
Or of his intellect or academic abilities
It is seen rather in terms of the love that he has
For his family and for everyone
The strength of his commitments
The genuineness of his friendships
The sincerity of his purpose
The quiet courage of his convictions
The fun, laughter, joy and happiness he gives to his
family and to others
His love of life
His patience and his honesty
And his contentment with what he has
To Those I Love
If I should ever leave you whom I love
To go along the Silent Way, grieve not,
Nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk
Of me as if I were beside you there,
(I’d come… I’d come, could I but find a way!
But would not tears and grief be barriers?)
And when you hear a song or see a bird I loved,
Please do not let the thought of me be sad…
For I am loving you just as I always have…
You were so good to me!
There are so many things I wanted still to do…
So many things to say to you…
Remember that I did not fear…
It was just leaving you that was so hard to face…
We cannot see Beyond… But this I know;
I loved you so…
‘Twas heaven here with you!
When I Go
Donna Ashworth
When I go,
don’t learn to live without me,
just learn to live with my love,
in a different way.
And if you need to see me,
close your eyes,
or look in your shadow,
when the sun shines,
I’m there.
Sit with me in the quiet
and you will know,
that I did not leave.
There is no leaving
when a soul is blended with another.
When I go,
don’t learn to live without me,
just learn to look for me
in the moments.
I will be there.
When I Am Gone, Release Me
When I am gone, release me – let me go
I have so many things to see and do.
You must not tie yourself to me with tears
Be happy that we had so many years
I gave you love, you can only guess
how much you gave me in happiness
I thank you for the love each have shown
but now it is time I travelled alone
So grieve awhile for me if grieve you must,
then let your grief be comforted by trust
It is only for a while that we must part
so bless those memories within your heart.
I will not be far away, for life goes on.
so if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you cannot see or touch me, I will be near
And if you listen with your heart, you will hear
All of my love around you, soft and clear.
Then when you must come this way alone,
I will greet you with a smile and Welcome Home.
When I Must Leave
When I must leave you for a 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 in my name
Live on and do all the things the same
Feed not your loneliness on empty days
But fill each working hour in useful ways
Reach out your hand in comfort and in cheer
And I in turn will comfort you and hold you near
And never, never be afraid to die
For I am waiting for you in the sky.
You’ll Never Walk Alone
When you walk through the storm
Hold your head up high,
And don’t be afraid of the dark.
At the end of the storm
Is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark.
Walk on through the wind,
Walk on through the rain,
Though your dreams be tossed and blown.
Walk on, walk on with hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone.
You’ll never walk alone.
The Stars Have Called You Home
Donna Ashworth
The stars have called you home, love.
Up high, so far away.
I think they missed your brilliance,
they just couldn’t let you stay.
You’ve shone that light of yours, love.
on all the lives you touched.
We’ve known your joy for years and years,
I guess they thought ‘enough’.
They need your light up there now.
This world grows ever dark.
Your passion will rain down like love,
dripped into every heart.
The stars have called you home, now
we’ll miss you, every day.
And every night we’ll scour the skies,
to watch you, where you lay.
And when dark clouds are gathering,
and air’s too cold to breathe.
The life you lived will warm our bones,
and your star will help us see.
Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep
Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there, I did not die.
The Dash
By Linda Ellis
I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning…to the end.
He noted that first came the date of her birth
And spoke of the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth
And now only those who love her
Know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own,
The cars…the house…the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard;
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
That can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect
And more often wear a smile…
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.
So when your eulogy is read
With your life’s actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?
Classical and Lyrical
Life And Death Are One
Kahlil Gibran
Life and death are one, even as the river and sea are one
In the depth of your hopes and desires lies
your silent knowledge of the beyond;
And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow your heart dreams of spring.
Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity…
For what is it to die but to stand naked
in the wind and melt it into the sun?
And what is it to cease breathing
but to free the breath from its restless tides,
that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?
Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top,
then you shall begin to climb,
And when the earth shall claim your limbs,
then shall you truly dance.
If Death is Kind
Sara Teasdale
Perhaps if death is kind, and there can be returning,
We will come back to earth some fragrant night,
And take these lanes to find the sea, and bending
Breathe the same honeysuckle, low and white.
We will come down at night to these resounding beaches
And the long gentle thunder of the sea,
Here for a single hour in the wide starlight
We shall be happy, for the dead are free.
Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
Dylan Thomas
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rage at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light
Fear No More the Heat o’ the Sun
I Don’t Believe In Death
Pauline Webb
I don’t believe in death
Who comes in silent stealth
He robs us only of a breath
Not of a lifetime’s wealth
I don’t believe the tomb
Imprisons us in earth
It’s but another loving womb
Preparing our new birth
I do believe in life
Empowered from above
Till freed from stress and worldly strife
We soar through realms above
I do believe that then
In joy that never ends
We’ll meet all those we’ve loved, again
And celebrate our friends.
I Miss Your Laughter
Nicholas Gordon
I miss your laughter, fun, and gentleness.
I miss the things I used to do for you.
I miss the time, now filled with emptiness,
When each day was a stage for something new.
I miss your love, though mine for you remains,
A passion with no outlet to the sea,
A teardrop in a desert, that contains
What’s left of my maternal ecstasy.
I miss your presence, like a silent chord
That anchored even solitude in grace.
I miss, for my love’s labor, the reward
Of seeing some small pleasure in your face.
All these I miss, and yet they are all here
Within my heart, far more than I can bear
O Beautiful End
Rabindranath Tagore
Peace, my heart, let the time for the parting be sweet.
Let it not be a death but completeness.
Let love melt into memory and pain into songs.
Let the flight through the sky end in the
folding of the wings over the nest.
Let the last touch of your hands be gentle
like the flower of the night.
Stand still, O beautiful end, for a moment,
and say your last words in silence.
I bow to you and hold up my lamp to light you on your way.
Peace My Heart
Rabindranath Tagore
Peace, my heart, let the time for the parting be sweet.
Let it not be a death but completeness.
Let love melt into memory and pain into songs.
Let the flight through the sky end in the folding of the wings over the nest.
Let the last touch of your hands be gentle like the flower of the night.
Stand still, O Beautiful End, for a moment, and say your last words in silence.
I bow to you and hold up my lamp to light your way
Paradox
by Kevin Ireland
Your part has come to an end,
Yet other life goes on.
This is what the world shall sing.
It is an old, old song.
No more shall you catch the sheen
Of the sun-struck dew.
Our flesh must fade to oblivion.
The words say nothing new.
Yet your being belongs within us,
And evermore shall stay.
You become the breath of eternity
And each fresh day.
Piercing The Veil
Emma Love
You were alive
And now, somehow,
You have moved to that shady realm of once was
How can that be?
You were alive
Soft warm skin
Breathing out, breathing in
Sharing a laugh over a cup of tea
or something silly on TV
Experiences shared
We knew, you see
How is it, you’re no longer here with me?
You were alive
You were you. One of us
Who walks in the sun
Complains about the weather
Puts your trousers on, One leg at a time
The normal, the safe, the mundane
And now you are gone
and the secrets of life and death
are no longer a mystery to you
as they still are to me
What do you see, I wonder?
But I do know this,
That love, as delicate and pure
as gossamer silk
Connects us still
Piercing the veil
And we walk together
no longer crossing over
but still, side by side
Some Days Are For The Grief
Donna Ashworth
Some days are just for the grief
no joy
no memories
Just soul-sucking
heart wrenching
grief.
Some days are for the grief
and that’s okay.
But on the days
when grief is love again
when the weight of loss
lifts a little
let that love out
let that love shine forth
like the beacon of hope that it is.
Some days are for the love
and that’s okay.
This journey is a balancing act.
Just balance.
To Be Or Not To Be
From MacBeth, William Shakespeare
To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep;
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to, ‘tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish’d. To die, to sleep;
To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there’s the rub;
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil.
Tomorrow, And Tomorrow
From MacBeth – William Shakespeare
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
The Beauty Of Death
Kahlil Gibran
I have passed a mountain peak and my soul is soaring in the firmament of complete and unbound freedom;
I am far, far away, my companions, and the clouds
are hiding the hills from my eyes.
The valleys are becoming flooded with an ocean of silence, and the hands of oblivion are engulfing the roads and the houses;
The prairies and fields are disappearing behind a white specter that looks like the spring cloud, yellow as the candlelight and red as the twilight.
The songs of the waves and the humans of the streams are scattered, and the voices of the throngs reduced to silence;
And I can hear naught but the music of eternity in exact harmony
with the spirit’s desires.
I am cloaked in full whiteness;
I am in comfort;
I am in peace.
For a Parent
A Mother’s Love
A Mother’s love is something that no one can explain,
It is made of deep devotion and of sacrifice and pain,
It is endless and unselfish and enduring come what may
For nothing can destroy it or take that love away . . .
It is patient and forgiving when all others are forsaking,
And it never fails or falters even though the heart is breaking . . .
It believes beyond believing when the world around condemns,
And it glows with all the beauty of the rarest, brightest gems . . .
It is far beyond defining, it defies all explanation,
And it still remains a secret like the mysteries of creation . . .
A many splendoured miracle man cannot understand
And another wondrous evidence of God’s tender guiding hand.
As We Look Back
As we look back over time
We find ourselves wondering,
Did we remember to thank you enough
For all you have done for us?
For all the times you were by our sides
To help and support us
To celebrate our successes
To understand our problems
And accept our defeats?
Or for teaching us by your example,
The value of hard work, good judgment,
Courage and integrity?
We wonder if we ever thanked you
For the sacrifices you made.
To let us have the very best?
And for the simple things
Like laughter, smiles and times we shared?
If we have forgotten to show our gratitude
enough for all the things you did,
We’re thanking you now.
And we are hoping you knew all along,
How much you meant to us.
Father
How lucky to have had so good a father!
On us his warm, unstinting sun long shone.
We were, of his hardworking life, the center,
Loved for the pure joy of love alone.
Uncanny are the requisites of pleasure,
Coming as they do within the will.
Knowing well where lay his greatest treasure,
Years on years of love he laboured still
How do We Let A Mother Go
How do we let a mother go?
How do we say “I’m ready now to go on without you”?
How can we ever have a clue of what that really means?
And of a sudden the moment is upon us,
and there’s no turning back.
And then we know what grief is,
… and guilt and love and things undone.
Try to prepare and we will fail in some way,
be it subtle or looming….
But there is peace too. peace and acceptance
and overwhelming love that we maybe weren’t aware of.
waves and waves of conflicting emotion,
And laughter too,
and memories we hadn’t bothered lately to recall
come flooding back in shared company
… and it’s all about you mum…
And there’s gratitude.. so much of that,
that we had you, such a wonderful mother…
Bright and shining, nobody’s fool, independent,
but humble too;
Smart, and kind, and fun.
The Loss of a Mother
Donna Ashworth
The loss of a mother
is an inevitable part of our life
We know it will come around
and we know the day will hurt
but we are not prepared
never prepared
for the tearing
The tearing of a part of our soul
from its very seams
stitches pulled asunder
heart wrenched in half
soul split in two.
But that tearing is not what you may think
it is not her leaving you
it is the loss of her physical form
which you have been
so very used and attached to
And now she must remove that part
for it no longer serves you
and you no longer need it
despite what you may think
Because she made you well
and she built all of her love into you
Cell by cell
thought by thought
lesson by lesson
And the split that you feel
is simply the new way
you will carry on your love
for your mother
With your mother
just in a different way
For she did not leave
mothers cannot leave
They are inside you
look inside
she’s there
and this is unable to be taken now
that is all yours to keep
forevermore.
The Ol’ Man
Norm Murray
So that’s it then.
Nobody’s Ol’ Man did it better.
A bit tough sometimes
But that never did us any harm.
Taught us a lot
(well, we know that now)
Got us out of tight spots
(and made us pay for it)
Brought home the bacon.
Kept us all afloat.
No big deal, maybe.
Modest.
Laid Back.
But solid as a rock when it counted.
Salt of the Earth.
So where to now?
Just get on with it.
That’s what he would want.
He saw us in.
We’ll see him out.
Yeah.
Thanks.
What Can You Say
What can you say
To someone who has always been one of
The most essential parts of your world;
Someone who took you by the hand
When you were little
And helped to show the way.
What do you say to someone
Who stood by to help you grow,
Providing love, strength, and support
So you could become the person
You are today?
What can you say to let her know
That she’s the best there is,
And that you hope you’ve inherited
Some of her wisdom and her strength?
What words would you say
If you ever got the chance?
Maybe you just say,
I love you Mum,
and hope she understands
Your Mother Is Always With You
Your Mother is always with you
She’s the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street.
She’s the smell of certain foods you remember,
flowers you pick,
and the fragrance of life itself.
She’s the cool hand on your brow when you’re not feeling well.
She’s your breath in the air on a cold winter’s day.
She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep,
the colours of a rainbow, she is Christmas morning.
Your mother lives inside your laughter.
She’s the place you came from, your first home, and she’s the map
you follow with every step you take.
She’s your first love, your first friend, even your first enemy, but
nothing on earth can separate you.
Not time, not space – not even death
To Mum
Mum, we want you know that we loved you
You were a very important part of our lives
Our relationship, our memories and moments shared
And the love you’ve given us
Are all so very precious to us
We count our blessings to have a mother like you
And we hope you realized
That you have always been our inspiration
You have guided us in each decision
And encouraged us to reach for every dream
You have helped us through with your guidance, your wisdom and the strength of your love
To become the people you wanted us to be
We want you to know
That though we may not have told you often enough
You mean so much more to us than words can say
We thank you and we love you with all our hearts
My Mother Kept A Garden
My Mother kept a garden.
A garden of the heart;
She planted all the good things,
That gave my life it’s start.
She turned me to the sunshine,
And encouraged me to dream:
Fostering and nurturing
The seeds of self-esteem.
And when the winds and rains came,
She protected me enough;
But not too much, she knew I’d need
To stand up strong and tough.
Her constant good example,
Always taught me right from wrong;
Markers for my pathway
To last my whole life long.
I am my Mother’s garden,
I am her legacy.
And I hope today she feels the love,
Reflected back from me.
Mum, we want you know that we loved you
You were a very important part of our lives
Our relationship, our memories and moments shared
And the love you’ve given us
Are all so very precious to us
We count our blessings to have a mother like you
And we hope you realized
That you have always been our inspiration
You have guided us in each decision
And encouraged us to reach for every dream
You have helped us through with your guidance, your wisdom and the strength of your love
To become the people you wanted us to be
We want you to know
That though we may not have told you often enough
You mean so much more to us than words can say
We thank you and we love you with all our hearts
Mum’s Garden
By Emma Love
With love you tended your garden
Nurturing every flower
Bringing Natures beauty to life
As you toiled hour by hour
With love you grew your garden
Your care in every bud
The brightly golden daffodil
The rose as red as blood
Your life was like your garden
The changes that seasons bring
I’ll always remember your smile
Sweet and loving as the spring
The fun and happy moments
Family growing big and strong
What memories we have to share
Of your summer, warm and long
And your autumn was not wasted
A time of discovery and rest
Life you enjoyed as you grew older
Really was the best
And now the winter has arrived
A cold and icy wall
I never will forget you Mum
The most precious bloom of all
For Grandparents
Nana
We had a wonderful Nana
One who never really grew old
Her smile was made of sunshine
And her heart was solid gold
Her eyes were bright as shining stars
And in her cheeks fair roses you see.
We had a wonderful grandmother,
And that’s the way it will always be.
But take heed, because
She’s still keeping an eye on all of us,
So let’s make sure
She will like what she sees.
Nana
To my dearest darling Nana
Up in Heaven, high above
I know today you’re with us all
And send all your love
Today we all remember you
And bid you one last goodbye
Celebrate the life you’ve had
And maybe have a cry
You’ll never be forgotten Nan,
I’ll just close my eyes and see,
Your smiling face and feel your love
And you’ll be close to me
You had such a long life
So many have so less
It was your time, the Angels came
And placed you with the best
So dear Nana, up above
Although you’re no longer here
In my heart is where I’ll keep you
Forever, you’ll be near
Poppa’s Garden
Our Poppa kept a garden,
A garden of the heart;
He planted all the good things,
That gave our lives their start.
He turned us to the sunshine,
And encouraged us to dream:
Fostering and nurturing
the seeds of self-esteem.
And then the winds and rain came,
He protected us enough;
But not too much because he knew
We would stand up strong and tough.
His constant good example,
Always taught us right from wrong;
Markers for our pathway that will last
a lifetime long.
We are our Poppa’s garden,
We are his legacy.
Thank you Poppa, we love you.
We Had A Wonderful Poppa
We had a wonderful Poppa,
One who never really grew old;
His smile was made of sunshine,
And his heart was solid gold;
His eyes were as bright as shining stars,
And in his cheeks fair roses you see.
We had a wonderful grandfather,
And that’s the way it will always be.
But take heed, because
He’s still keeping an eye on all of us,
So let’s make sure
He will like what he sees.
Family
Family Chain
We little knew that morning,
God was going to call your name.
In life we loved your dearly,
In death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
You did not go alone,
For part of us went with you,
the day God called you home.
You left us beautiful memories,
Your love is still our guide
And though we cannot see you,
You are always by our side.
Our family chain is broken
And nothing seems the same
But as God calls us one by one
The chain will link again.
Family Of Mine
Family of mine
I should like to send you a sunbeam,
or the twinkle of some bright star,
or a tiny piece of the downy fleece that clings to a cloud afar.
I should like to send you the essence of a myriad sun-kissed flowers,
or the lilting song as it floats along, of a brook through fairy bowers.
I should like to send you the dew-drops that glisten at break of day,
and then at night the eerie light that mantles the Milky Way.
I should like to send you the power that nothing can overflow –
the power to smile and laugh the while a-jouneying
through life you go.
But these are mere fanciful wishes;
I’ll send you a Godspeed instead,
and I’ll clasp your hand
– then you’ll understand all the things I have left unsaid.
Sister
You’ve been my sister all my life
We’re now pensioners us two;
You’ve also been my confidante
Whenever I’ve been blue.
I’m not sure how to say
These final words to you;
It hurts and I will be lonely now
Goodbye honey, I love you!
Sister
In childhood we did not understand the gift
of being a sister
We grew together
learned together, and we laughed
Oh how we laughed
Time taught us about the bond of love,
and through that love we chose friendship,
In good times and bad, no matter what
We were the very best of friends
I knew all your secrets and you knew mine
We had each other’s backs our whole life through
Even when families of our own took our time
We always knew we would be there for one another
I will never forget your gentle heart
your warm smile, your laughter
or the bond that we share still
I will hold you in my heart, forevermore
For a Baby or Child
A Child Loaned
“I’ll lend you for a little time
A child of Mine,” He said.
“For you to love the while she lives,
And mourn for when she’s dead.
It may be six or seven years
Or twenty-two or three,
But will you, till I call her back
Take care of her for Me?
She’ll bring her charms to gladden you,
And should her stay be brief,
You’ll have her lovely memories
As solace for your grief.
I cannot promise she will stay,
Since all from Earth return,
But there are lessons taught down there
I want this child to learn.
I’ve looked this wide world over
In My search for teachers true,
And from the throngs that crowd life’s lanes,
I have selected you;
Now will you give her all your love,
Nor think the labour vain,
Nor hate Me when I come to call
And take her back again ?
I fancied that I heard them say,
“Dear Lord, Thy will be done,
For all the joy Thy child shall bring,
For the risk of grief we’ll run.
We’ll shelter her with tenderness,
We’ll love her while we may,
And for the happiness we’ve known,
Forever grateful stay.
But should the angels call for her
Much sooner then we planned,
We’ll brave the bitter grief that comes
And try to understand.
For Ben
Eyes that twinkle sunshine
A face that breaks your heart
That special look of innocence
Remains while we’re apart
We had you for a short while
But you brought so many joys
Now play in peace our baby
Enjoy your angel toys
Time will bring us comfort
While waiting for the day
When we will be together again
Not just a whisper away
Too Soon
This was a life that had hardly begun
No time to find your place in the Sun
No time to do all you could have done
But we loved you enough for a lifetime
No time to enjoy the world and it’s wealth
No time to take life down off the shelf
No time to sing the songs of yourself
Thou you had enough love for a lifetime
Those who live long endure sadness and tears
But you’ll never suffer the sorrowing years
No betrayal, no anger, no hatred, no fears
Just love – Only love – In your lifetime.
Goodbye
It’s time to say goodbye
and we don’t understand why
today is the day we lay
our little man to rest
everyone knows he was the best
he was our miracle our dream come true
and we are here to comfort you
though today we say goodbye
just remember he never really dies
for in our hearts his spirit lies
if he could talk I know he’d say
mommy daddy please don’t cry
for I am not gone imp flying high
imp that brand new twinkle in the sky
I know one day I’ll see you again
and until then
hold your heads up high
and just remember imp standing by
for imp the light of the moon
and the sunlight in the sky
so please be strong and it won’t be long
till we’re together again
love your little man
Dementia
Do Not Ask Me To Remember
Do not ask me to remember
Do not try to make me understand
Let me rest and know you’re with me
Kiss my cheek and hold my hand
I’m confused beyond your concept
I am sad and sick and lost
All I know if that I need you
To be with me at all cost
Do not lose your patience with me
Do not scold or curse or cry
I can’t help the way I’m acting
Can’t be different though I try
Just remember that I need you
That the best of me is gone
Please don’t fail to stand beside
Love me till my life is done
The Long Goodbye
by Ellen Miller
It’s been a long time since we first felt the beginning to this end.
And today we pray before you; your family and your friends.
We’ve watched your thoughts get more obscure with every passing day;
As this heartless thing called Alzheimer’s made them fade away.
Gradually it took the gleam from those once so loving eyes.
To befall on such a giving man…it seemed so unjustified.
Stripping you of everything, leaving nothing in its place…
Except a look of sadness left upon your face.
As long as we have searched, through all the tears we’ve cried…
We’ve tried to find the reason for this long good-bye.
But now it’s time to take back all your memories…
As you are finally free from this cruel disease.
We pledge to remember the man that you once were;
A good hearted, giving man is all that will be heard.
And every night when we look up and see a certain star…
We will know within our hearts exactly where you are.
So on this day we say good-bye as you now depart.
Although far from our touch, never far from our hearts.
Dementia
How difficult it must have been for you
To see me become less of the person you once knew
My body was here, but my mind was not
The things we once shared, I just forgot
This became our long goodbye
As bit by bit, my mind just died
I was not the person I used to be
And yet I still felt your love for me
I sorry that this burdened you
I know your heart was always true
And a love like ours will never fade
Our souls will meet again one day
And then, I will remember you
In Rest They Remember
By Donna Ashworth
Some people are slowly taken.
To the other realm
Not physically, but mentally
Memory by memory
They are pulled from us.
Like a painstakingly slow house-move
Boxes full of life
Chapters, people, loves.
All packed into a van
To await their arrival on the other side
And as these parts are removed
Those left feel lonelier daily.
As though their love is already leaving them.
It is a painful departure, my friends.
This much is sadly true.
But I like to think of the person we knew.
Reaching the other side, finally
Once more whole
And upon arrival they see their boxes
Awaiting them so long
They open them up,
The chapters, the memories, the loves
And reunite with them all again.
I can feel that heartfelt joy.
And it brings me joy too.
They are not lost for long.
Though it may feel so
In rest
They remember it all.
Gardening and Nature
Daffodils
William Wordsworth
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretch’d in never – ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced; but they
Out – did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed – and gazed – but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
Daffodils
Robert Herrick
Fair daffodils, we weep to see
You haste away so soon:
As yet the early-rising sun
Has not attained his noon
Stay, stay
Until the hasting day
Has run
But to the evensong;
And having prayed together, we
Will go with you along.
We have short time to stay as you;
We have as short a spring;
As quick a growth to meet decay,
As you or anything.
We die,
As your hours do, and dry away
Like to the summers rain;
Or as the pearls of morning dew,
Ne’er to be found again.
I Do Not Think My Song Will End
Johnny Hathcock
I do not think my song will end
While flowers, grass and trees
Abound with birds and butterflies
For I am one with these.
And I believe my voice will sound
Upon the whispering wind
So long as even one remains
Among those I call “friend.”
I shall remain in hearts and minds
Of loved ones that I knew,
And in the rocks and hills and streams
Because I love those, too.
So long as love and hope and dreams
Abide in earth and sky,
Weep not for me, though I be gone.
I shall not really die.
If I Should Never See The Moon Again
If I should never see the moon again
Rising red gold across the harvest field
Or feel the stinging soft rain
As the brown earth her treasures yield.
If I should never taste the salt sea spray
As the ship beats her course across the breeze.
Or smell the dog-rose and new-mown hay,
or moss or primroses beneath the tree.
If I should never hear the thrushes wake
Long before the sunrise in the glimmering dawn.
Or watch the huge Atlantic rollers break
Against the rugged cliffs in baffling scorn.
If I have to say good bye to stream and wood,
To wide ocean and the green clad hill,
I know that he, who made this world so good
Has somewhere made a heaven better still.
This bears witness with my latest breath
Knowing the love of God,
I fear no death.
Look For Me In Rainbows
Time for me to go now, I won’t say goodbye;
Look for me in rainbows, way up in the sky.
In the morning sunrise when all the world is new,
Just look for me and love me, as you know I loved you.
Time for me to leave you, I won’t say goodbye;
Look for me in rainbows, high up in the sky.
In the evening sunset, when all the world is through,
Just look for me and love me, and I’ll be close to you.
It won’t be forever, the day will come and then
My loving arms will hold you, when we meet once again
Time for us to part now, we won’t say goodbye;
Look for me in rainbows, shining in the sky.
Every waking moment, and all your whole life through
Just look for me and love me, as you know I loved you.
Just wish me to be near you,
And I’ll be there with you.
Meet You At The Gate
A beautiful garden now stands alone,
missing the one who nurtured it
But now she is gone,
Her flowers still bloom, and the sun it still shines,
But the rain is like tear drops, for the ones left behind,
The weeds lay waiting to take the gardens beauty away,
But the beautiful memories of its keeper are in our hearts to stay,
she loved every flower even some that were weeds,
So much love she would plant with each little seed,
But just like her flowers she was part of Gods plan,
So when it was her time he reached down his hand,
He look through the Garden searching for the best,
That’s when he found ______, it was her time to rest,
It was hard for those who loved her, to just let her go,
But God had a spot in his garden, that needed a gentle soul,
So when you start missing ____, remember if you just wait,
When God has a spot in his garden, She’ll meet you at the gate….
Mum’s Garden
Emma Love
With love you tended your garden
Nurturing every flower
Bringing Natures beauty to life
As you toiled hour by hour
With love you grew your garden
Your care in every bud
The brightly golden daffodil
The rose as red as blood
Your life was like your garden
The changes that seasons bring
I’ll always remember your smile
Sweet and loving as the spring
The fun and happy moments
Family growing big and strong
What memories we have to share
Of your summer, warm and long
And your autumn was not wasted
A time of discovery and rest
Life you enjoyed as you grew older
Really was the best
And now the winter has arrived
A cold and icy wall
I never will forget you Mum
The most precious bloom of all
Roses
If roses grow in heaven,
Lord please pick a bunch for me,
Place them in my Mother’s arms
and tell her they’re from me.
Tell her I love her and miss her,
and when she turns to smile,
place a kiss upon her cheek
and hold her for awhile.
Because remembering her is easy,
I do it every day,
but there’s an ache within my heart
that will never go away.
Nature
You can no longer see me,
but know that I am there
I am the flowers in the garden,
I am the wind beneath your hair
I’m the butterfly soaring overhead
In the song the birds have sung
In the moonbeams in the midnight sky
I’m in the setting sun
I’m finally at peace now
but although my life is through
The memories of love I left behind,
shall forever be with you
I have always loved my flowers
With nature I was one
And to nature I return now
As my time of life is done
No longer do I suffer
No longer do I feel pain
I’ll remain forever in your heart
Until we meet again
The Gentle Gardener
Edgar Albert Guest
I’d like to leave but daffodills
to mark my little way,
To leave but tulips red and white
behind me as I stray;
I’d like to pass away from earth
and feel I’d left behind
But roses and forget-me-nots
for all who come to find.
I’d like to sow the barren spots
with all the flowers of earth,
To leave a path where those who come
should find but gentle mirth;
And when at last I’m called upon
to join the heavenly throng
I’d like to feel along my way
I’d left no sign of wrong.
And yet the cares are many
and the hours of toil are few;
There is not time enough on earth
for all I’d like to do;
But, having lived and having toiled,
I’d like the world to find
Some little touch of beauty
that my soul had left behind.
Hobbies and Interests
Bon Voyage
By Norm Murray
Ah! Give me a boat with a sail and a mast –
It needn’t be tall, but it has to be fast.
As long as it takes me away on the tide,
I’ll sail it with eagerness, honour and pride.
I have to escape from that sad land-locked sort
Who cannot distinguish their starboard from port,
Who wouldn’t know how, if you gave them a sheet,
To tie a good knot, or belay to a cleat.
With all canvas set and good mates on my barque,
Gull-winged, I’ll rejoice to be first round the mark;
Or crossing the vastness of oceans at night –
Just being afloat gives me endless delight.
For nothing can match all the pleasure I’ve had –
Salt spray on my face – there’s no need to be sad.
I’ve loved every hour of it, make no mistake –
The troubles of life left behind in my wake.
So, up with the mainsail! I’ve called it a day,
And now on the breeze I will sail away.
No need for a Navman, like modern Jack Tars:
On my final voyage I’ll steer by the stars.
Crossing the Bar
Lord Tennyson
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For though from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crossed the bar.
To The Sea
John Masefield
I must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song
and the white sail’s shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.
I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.
I must down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.
My Story
For a reader
Recall me fondly
Think brightly of my happy days
My memories will light up the pages
And rekindle moments in my life.
Do not dwell long with dusky sadness
That dims the chapters from my colourful story
Just read between the lines
And know me only as you can
I’d love you to recall me fondly
And keep my story bright
What wonder I have had in live
What joy I have had in love you all
This is my story and…
What a great book I am!
Bowling
For a Bowler
by Norm Murray
To be out on a cricket pitch
Is my idea of Heaven
-That’s if I’m selected
For the Mighty First XI.
To spend my time with bat and pad
Or bowling at the crease
Is all I ever want to do –
Not simply “Rest in Peace”.
A match could last a thousand days
Or only three or four
Who cares? As long as someone wins
Or we can force a draw.
And whether spin or pace I bowl,
I’m not a geriatric
The crowd will hold its breath when I
Am sitting on a hat trick
I’ll fling him down a googly one
(with very suspect action)
And tempt him to a reckless stroke
-to my great satisfaction
No need to “go upstairs” to see
If that was out or not
God’s finger tells the batsman that
He played a stupid shot
Or, if we’re in, then I will play
Whatever balls they mix
Not “leg before” or “caught behind”
But hammered for a six
So if some day you need to know
Exactly where I’m at
You’ll find me on a sunlit pitch
About to shout “Howzat!”
Roll Up!
For a Bowler
by Norm Murray
Sir Francis Drake knew what to do
When the Armada loomed
He finished off his game of bowls
England was never doomed
By his example we all know
(without a trace of bias)
The Roll Up’s the important thing
Whatever else may try us
In pairs, or fours and triples too,
Our days are measured out
To drive, or draw to either hand
Is what life’s all about
On green and rink, in dazzling white
To our best game we’re true
So when your bowls are in our way
We “weight” to follow through
In sun or breeze, we’re on the mat
Enjoyment is our aim
And if the weather’s not too hot
We’ll never skip a game
So while in life we’re all obliged
To play so many roles
I’d like to spend eternity
With others – playing bowls
The Bowler’s Prayer
Bowling’s my pleasure, I’ll not want
It takes me down, to play.
To bowling greens, it leadeth me
The first weekend in May.
My soul it dost restore again
And me to skip doth make,
with the path of Willie Wood
Even for my own rinks sake.
Yea, though I bowl in wind and rain,
yet I will feel no chill
For my skins are with me and
my chalk, and strings comfort me still.
A rink thou hast prepared for me
Where grass doth evenly grow.
My bowls I dost with grippo anoint,
So they will smoothly go.
Good luck and rubs then all my life,
Shall surely come to me,
and on that green for evermore
My dwelling place shall be.
On The Green
For a Bowler
He loved the quiet of the green,
The sun warm on his back,
The soft, deliberate rhythm
Of bowl, and line, and track.
He knew the game was patience,
A steady hand, a steady heart,
Reading every gentle curve,
Treating each end like art.
He laughed with friends on breezy days,
Shared stories, jokes, and tea,
Content in simple company —
Exactly where he’d choose to be.
And when his final game was called,
He rose without a fuss,
At peace, the way he played his life —
With calm, with grace, with trust.
WOF Expired
By Norm Murray
My chassis is stuffed
Radiator leaks
Not much happening
In the spark plug department
Wiring shorted
Headlights dim
Shocks are shot
Steering loose
Transmission not reliable
Been round the block
A few times
And got where I wanted
Saw the sights
Met the people
Did the job
Blew the odd gasket
But never seized up
Loved it all
Would do it again
By my WOFs expired
Just release the brakes
I’ll roll on for ever
Golden Holden
By Norm Murray
My chassis is stuffed
Radiator leaks
Not much happening
In the spark plug department
Wiring shorted
Headlights dim
Shocks are shot
Steering loose
Transmission not reliable
Been round the block
A few times
And got where I wanted
Saw the sights
Met the people
Did the job
Blew the odd gasket
But never seized up
Loved it all
Would do it again
By my WOFs expired
Just release the brakes
I’ll roll on for ever
Cricket
Life is like cricket
Don’t lose your wicket
try to get century
but never forget your ‘boundary’
even if you are run out
keep good heart
Because the joy is in the play
That’s the true art
Mr Fixit
By Norm Murray
Hands covered in grime, lost all track of time
Tools in a heap on the floor
And for sure we all knew as he loosened each screw
That this bloke was enjoying the chore.
He would be in no doubt when the insides were out
What was needed to make the thing work
In his own quiet way, he would soon save the day
And he’d finish it off with a smirk.
For repairs you require just some No. 8 wire
And maybe some tricks of the trade
Or a new one of these, or a good bit of that
And will luck you will soon have it made.
But, alas for our mate, more repairs are too late
For his mending has come to a halt
Here’s the end of the tale of the Good Kiwi Male
‘cos he’s tightened his last nut and bolt.
Fore!
By Norm Murray
If I ever have my statue in
the local Hall of Fame
it must be for my prowess at
the Royal and Ancient Game.
A hole in one, an albatross,
or seven under par:
it’s always been my aim in life
to be a golfing star
So if, for just a moment, you
can set aside your sorrow,
God’s given me the honour in
the tournament tomorrow.
The greens are smooth, the bunkers small,
the rough is hardly there;
the only hazard I know if,
is knowing what to wear.
No hook or slice or mangled shots,
-for those there isn’t time.
The caddy puts my divots back;
The Pro will says that I’m
A legend in the world of golf
if proof is need more,
Just come onto to the fairway now,
To hear me yell out: “Fore!”
A Sure Bet
By Norm Murray
I’ve picked some winners in my time
And backed some losers too.
(To bet the farm on some old nag
Is not the thing to do.)
But there’s the thrill of watching
As they thunder down the track
The standard-breds and trotters
Just keep me coming back.
The fields, the silks, the punters bring
More joy than I can utter
And fillies lined up on the rail
All send my heart a-flutter.
A race day is a great time out
On that I’ll stake my shirt
No matter what the dividend
That bet is a dead cert.
But winners come and winners go
As you might have supposed
Not every post’s a winning post
For me, the Tote has closed
”
The Unknown Shore
By Elizabeth Clark Hardy
Sometime at eve when the tide is low,
I shall slip my moorings and sail away,
With no response to a friendly hail,
In the silent hush of the twilight pale,
When the night stoops down to embrace the day
And the voices call in the water’s flow.
Sometime at eve when the tide is low,
I shall slip my moorings and sail away.
Through purple shadows that darkly trail
O’er the ebbing tide of the unknown sea,
And a ripple of waters to tell the tale
Of a lonely voyager, sailing away
To mystic isles, where at anchor lay
The craft of those who had sailed before
O’er the unknown sea to the unknown shore.
A few who have watched me sail away
Will miss my craft from the busy bay;
Some friendly barques were anchored near,
Some loving souls that my heart held dear
In silent sorrow will drop a tear;
But I shall have peacefully furled my sail
In mooring sheltered from the storm and gale,
And greeted friends who had sailed before
O’er the unknown sea to the unknown shore.
Slip Away
Sometime at eve when the tide is low
I shall slip my moorings and sail away
With no response to the friendly hail
Of the kindred craft in the busy bay.
In the quiet hush of the twilight pale
When night stoops down to embrace the day
And voices call over the water’s flow
Sometimes at eve when the tide is low
I shall slip my moorings and sail away.
A few who have watched me sail away
Will miss my craft from the busy bay
Some friendly barques that have anchored near
Some love souls that my heart holds dear
In silent sorrow will drop a tear.
But I shall have peacefully furled my sail
In mooring sheltered from storm and gale
And greeted my friends who have sailed before
On the unknown sea to the unknown shore.
Fishing
Fishing Prayer
God grant that I may live to fish until my dying day
And when it comes to my last cast then I most humbly pray
When in the lords safe landing net I’m peacefully asleep
That in His mercy I be judged as good enough to keep
Fishin’
By Emma Love
If I could choose one thing to do
There’s no place I’d rather be
Than on a boat with rod and reel
And fishing on the sea
I never mind the time it takes
Just waiting for a bite
Because when it comes it’s worth it
There’ll be fish for tea tonight
The snapper, kahawai, gurnard too
They all will have their day
Though they’re never even half as big
As the one that got away
The sun, the sand, the seagulls cry
The oceans wide open space
Are all the things I love so much
I’m in my happy place
So don’t think of me as gone my friend
Don’t grieve for me today
I’m on a boat, the tide is right
I’ve simply sailed away.
Gone Fishing
Norm Murray
The weather’s fine, the tides are right,
and all the time I’m wishin’
that nothing else will matter, just
as long as I’m out fishin’.
A leaky boat or rocky coast –
if it’s my favourite spot
the busy world can pass me by
the fish are runnin’ hot.
And if the catch is large or small
it doesn’t really matter
as long as I can eat the lot
smoked, fresh, or cased in batter.
The Great Beyond has endless seas
with not forbidden sectors,
or stormy days, or rotten luck
…. or fishery inspectors.
The little ones that got away
(to bend my rod were trying’)
I’ll say were huge – but I confess
my mates will know I’m lyin’.
So look for me from time to time,
and if you find me missin’,
be happy that for evermore
I’ve only gone out fishin’.
Occupation
Close the Gate
by Nancy Kraayenhof
For this one farmer the worries are over,
lie down and rest your head,
Your time has been and struggles enough,
put the mule in the shed.
Years were not easy, many downright hard
but your love of the land transcended
Put away your tools and sleep in peace
the fences have all been mended.
You raised a fine family, worked the land well
and always followed the sun
Hang up your shovel inside the barn
your work here on earth is done.
The love you possess led your journey through life
often a jagged and stony way
The sun is setting, cattle are all fed
and here now is the end of your day.
Your love of Earth’s soil has
passed onto your kin
the stories flow like fine wine
Wash off your work boots in the puddle
left by the rain one final time.
You always believed that the good Earth
would provide and it always had somehow
Take off your gloves and put them down
no more sweat and worry for you now.
Your labour is done
your home now is heaven
no more must you wait.
Your legacy lives on
your love of the land
and we will close the gate.
A Nurse’s Prayer
Let me dedicate my life today
to the care of those who come my way.
Let me touch each one with healing hand
and the gentle art for which I stand.
And then tonight when day is done,
Let me rest in peace if I have helped just one.
I walk through corridors with pride,
Who’s life could I save tonight?
Who will be in need of care
Whose lot will be easier because I am there
Sometimes I cry because I can’t save them all
But I try to stay strong and stand so tall
I’ve witnessed a newborn baby’s first breath
And held a hand on the brink of death
I wiped a tear from a grieving eye
And comforted with just a smile
The night seems so dark and the morning so bright.
A nurse sees things in a different light.
Whose life could I save tonight?
I don’t know who these special people are
but I will meet them with every call
I will hold them tight and help the pain
Get them on their feet again
In every life, I see the beauty
I am a nurse, proud to do my duty.
A Teacher
The dictionary defines a teach as someone who teaches
But that hardly does justice to a profession that reaches
Far beyond just conveying some knowledge or skill,
For there are so many roles that a teacher must fill.
Counsellor, entertainer, motivational leader
Disciplinarian, comforter, accomplished mind-reader
A guardian who needs to be constantly aware
A mediator who must be unbiased and fair.
By whatever means necessary, teachers find a way
To meet the needs of all their students, each and every day
And their work does not end with the ring of a bell
For teaching’s not just a job, it’s a calling as well.
Teachers are a model of heartfelt dedication
Their hope is that their efforts will provide a firm foundation
And they know that if they’ve properly played their parts
Their success can be found in their students’ minds and hearts.
Religious
Footprints
One night I dreamed a dream.
I was walking along the beach with my Lord. Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to me and one to my Lord.
When the last scene of my life shot before me I looked back at the footprints in the sand. There was only one set of footprints. I realized that this was at the lowest and saddest times of my life. This always bothered me and I questioned the Lord about my dilemma.
“Lord, You told me when I decided to follow You, You would walk and talk with me all the way. But I’m aware that during the most troublesome times of my life there is only one set of footprints. I just don’t understand why, when I need You most, You leave me.”
He whispered, “My precious child, I love you and will never leave you, never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you.”
God Called Your Name So Softly
God called your name so softly
That only you could hear
And no-one heard the footsteps
Of angels drawing near.
It broke our hearts to lose you
But you did not go alone
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.
God’s Garden
God looked around his garden
And found an empty place,
He then looked down upon the earth
And saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you
And lifted you to rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful
He always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering
He knew you were in pain.
He knew that you would never
Get well on earth again.
He saw the road was getting rough
And the hills were hard to climb.
So he closed your weary eyelids
And whispered, ‘Peace be Thine’.
It broke our hearts to lose you
But you didn’t go alone,
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.
God Saw You Getting Tired
God saw you getting tired
and a cure was not to be
so he put his arms around you
and whispered,
“Come to Me”
With tearful eyes we watched you
and saw you pass away
and although we love you dearly
we could not make you stay.
A Golden heart stopped beating
hard working hands at rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes the best
I Have A Place In Heaven
I have a place in heaven
Please don’t sing sad songs for me,
Forget your grief and fears,
For I am in a perfect place
Away from pain and tears.
It’s far away from hunger
And hurt and want and pride,
I have a place in Heaven
With the Master at my side.
My life on earth was very good,
As earthly life can go,
But Paradise is so much more
Than anyone can know.
My heart is filled with happiness
And sweet rejoicing, too.
To walk with God is perfect peace,
A joy forever new.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father which art in heaven
hallowed be Thy name;
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom the power and the glory
forever and ever
Amen.
To Everything There Is A Season
To everything there is a season,
A time for everything under the sun
A time to be born and a time to die
A time to laugh and a time to cry
A time to dance and a time to mourn
A time to seek and a time to let go.
This is the time we remember
One who gave meaning to our lives.
This is the time we remember the bonds that tied us together,
The love that we shared,
And the memories that remain with us still.
The Lord is my shepherd
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul;
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.
Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Celebration of Life or Celebration of Love.
The Right Celebrant for You.
