Then a woman said, ―Speak to us of Joy and Sorrow.‖
And he answered:
Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.
And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your
And how else can it be?
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.
Is not the cup that hold your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter‘s oven?
And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with
knives?
When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which
has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.
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.
Some of you say, ―Joy is greater than sorrow,‖ and others say, ―Nay, sorrow is the
greater.‖ But I say unto you, they are inseparable.
Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that
the other is asleep upon your bed.
Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.
Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.
When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your
joy or your sorrow rise or fall.
Funeral Poems & Readings
Of Joy and Sorrow
A funeral poem for comfort during unsettling times
Print
Of Joy and Sorrow
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.
More Funeral Poems
Heaven’s Rocking Chair
Are there rocking chairs in Heaven where little babies go? Do the angels hold you closely and rock you to and fro? Do they talk ...
Read Full Poem →
Untitled Poem on Dying
Life! I know not what thou art, But know that thou and I must part; And when, or how, or where we met I own ...
Read Full Poem →
Crossing the Bar
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, ...
Read Full Poem →
For My Brother
You left without Warning. Gone so fast. Now all we have Are memories Of our past. You are loved by so many. You might not ...
Read Full Poem →
Celebrate
Weep not for me though I am gone Into that gentle night Grieve if you will, but not for long Upon my soul’s sweet flight ...
Read Full Poem →
Untitled
If I should never see the moon again Rising red gold across the harvest field, Or feel the stinging of soft April rain As the ...
Read Full Poem →
You Mattered To Me
You lived your life thinking that no one cared. You thought you were all alone, your heart feeling tattered. I am here to tell you ...
Read Full Poem →
Love Shines Through
Like a shadow in the moonlight Like the whisper of the seas Like the echoes of a melody Just beyond our reach In the shadow ...
Read Full Poem →
How Grateful I Would Be To Have Just One More Day
If I could have just one more day and wishes did come true, I’d spend every glorious moment side by side with you. Recalling all ...
Read Full Poem →
To Sleep
O soft embalmer of the still midnight, Shutting, with careful Fingers and benign, Our gloom-pleas‘d eyes, Embower‘d from the light, Enshaded in forgetfulness divine: O ...
Read Full Poem →
Death The Leveller
The glories of our blood and state Are shadows, not substantial things; There is no armour against fate; Death lays his icy hand on kings: ...
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 →
Come To Me When I’m Dying
Come to me when I’m dying; Gaze on my wasted form, Tired with so long defying Life’s ever-rushing storm. Come, come when I am dying, ...
Read Full Poem →
Your Mother, Your Angel
You look back on memories you forgot you had, And at times you’ll smile even though it hurts so bad. Your mother is a special ...
Read Full Poem →
Hester
When maidens such as Hester die Their place ye may not well supply, Though ye among a thousand try With vain endeavour. A month or ...
Read Full Poem →