Funeral Poems & Readings

How We Survive

A funeral poem for comfort during unsettling times

Print

How We Survive

If we are fortunate,

we are given a warning.

If not,

there is only the sudden horror,

the wrench of being torn apart;

of being reminded

that nothing is permanent,

not even the ones we love,

the ones our lives revolve around.

Life is a fragile affair.

We are all dancing

on the edge of a precipice,

a dizzying cliff so high

we can’t see the bottom.

One by one,

we lose those we love most

into the dark ravine.

So we must cherish them

without reservation.

Now.

Today.

This minute.

We will lose them

or they will lose us

someday.

This is certain.

There is no time for bickering.

And their loss

will leave a great pit in our hearts;

a pit we struggle to avoid

during the day

and fall into at night.

Some,

unable to accept this loss,

unable to determine

the worth of life without them,

jump into that black pit

spiritually or physically,

hoping to find them there.

And some survive

the shock,

the denial,

the horror,

the bargaining,

the barren, empty aching,

the unanswered prayers,

the sleepless nights

when their breath is crushed

under the weight of silence

and all that it means.

Somehow, some survive all that and,

like a flower opening after a storm,

they slowly begin to remember

the one they lost

in a different way…

The laughter,

the irrepressible spirit,

the generous heart,

the way their smile made them feel,

the encouragement they gave

even as their own dreams were dying.

And in time, they fill the pit

with other memories

the only memories that really matter.

We will still cry.

We will always cry.

But with loving reflection

more than hopeless longing.

And that is how we survive.

That is how the story should end.

That is how they would want it to be.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Email
Print

Funeral Shop

Keeping the memory alive. See our high-quality range of funeral products and jewellery including urns, ash pendants, keepsakes, candle holders, bracelets, rings and more.

Sourced From

More Funeral Poems

Virtue Immortal

Sweet day, so cool, so calm, so bright, The bridall of the earth and skie; The dew shall weep thy fall to-night; For thou must ...
Read Full Poem →

A Child Of Mine

I will lend you, for a little time, A child of mine, He said. For you to love the while he lives, And mourn for ...
Read Full Poem →

After Their Death

You might be covered By eyelids closed Over your whole being, Or reach with desperation For something alive To hold onto. Your fingertips will hide ...
Read Full Poem →

The Tombs In Westminster Abbey

Mortality, behold and fear What a change of flesh is here! Think how many royal bones Sleep within these heaps of stones; Here they lie, ...
Read Full Poem →

Half Of My Heart Is Gone

Son, I wish I could wake up and see you standing there. Then I would know that it was just a nightmare. Son, I remember ...
Read Full Poem →

Goodbye Dad

It’s never the right time To say goodbye. I will miss you, Dad, And here is why. You taught me so much: To show no ...
Read Full Poem →

My Dad

I know this man Who is dear to my heart. Suddenly one day It was torn all apart. This man taught me everything That I ...
Read Full Poem →

Irish Blessing

May the roads rise up to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, May ...
Read Full Poem →

My Grandmother

In my rose garden of memories, I see you standing there, An angel in disguise, Who taught me how to care. I long to hear ...
Read Full Poem →

When God Comforted Me

From heaven he was delivered As a baby unto you, When God said to me softly I’m trusting you to do Everything that’s needed To ...
Read Full Poem →

Time Is Meant To Heal

Although unheard, I thank you For always being there. Even when you were bedridden, You always seemed to care. You meant so much to all ...
Read Full Poem →

My Soulmate

I still say I Love You, But now there’s no reply. I always feel your presence As if you never left my side. I remember ...
Read Full Poem →

Troubled Heart

The moment you took your life, I felt mine ended too. If I could only turn back time, there’s so much I would undo. I ...
Read Full Poem →

Near Shady Wall A Rose Once Grew

Near shady wall a rose once grew Budded and blossomed in God’s free light, Watered and fed by morning dew Shedding its sweetness day and ...
Read Full Poem →

She Is Gone (He Is Gone)

You can shed tears that she is gone Or you can smile because she has livedYou can close your eyes and pray that she will ...
Read Full Poem →