GRADUATION DAY

This poem, based on my experiences with death. May it bring some comfort and peace to anyone who has a fear of dying.

GRADUATION DAY   I was in my early thirties When I nearly left this life For my heart had stopped beating While under the surgeon's knife. My body was on the table They worked to revive me again. I watched in total amazement Really stunned to feel no pain. I drifted to the warm white light And the farther I rose above Words can't describe the feeling Being engulfed in peace and love. 'But Lord, what about my children? To leave them now would not be fair.' So He gently reassured me, They are always in His care. Then I wanted to go with him He said my work was not yet done Still much for me to learn and do And I had barely just begun. Only twenty five years later A drunk driver hit me head on If not for divine intervention I surely would have been gone Suddenly, a pair of angels Appeared beside me in the car One just held his hand up, to stop The engine from going too far When he gently touched my shoulder I was filled with peace, without pain The other took my hand and led me Back home, to my Lord, once again Alas, it was just a visit Once again He sent me back My work here was not finished Or there's something I still lack When my work is finally over And death comes as it may Don't weep for me, beloved At last its graduation day! (c)Ellen Hammond

Author's Note

This is the poem originally titled "MY LIFE"....but my friend Mark suggested the new title which I like better. Hope you think it is better too.

Reviews

[Anita B Jacques]

Thank you for sharing your experience with me. Yes we have angels among us, a few times in my life I experienced their interventions, why us ? maybe because we are willing to share our experiences with others, God is making it possible for us to do so. I'm a friend of Sheila, she gave me your name. I wrote a true story about a month ago, the event happened almost 3 years ago, please read it if you have the time. The name is "Lifeline", you'll be glad you did. God bless you.
A friend...Annie

[Michael X]

This is amazing ellen, and speaks on many levels, and the context has a particular way of embracing hope,
beautiful flow and meter bring the entire experience to life with passionate cause supporting the
meaning in ways that impart the same joyous feeling upon the readers heart. Lovely and very well written

[Beatrice Boyle (Grandm..]

Well done Ellen...Angels are everywhere...you were indeed fortunate to have been touched by them

There are just a few places that need attention as far as rythm and meter are concerned, particularly in the 8th paragraph. consider changing "no pain" to "without pain" and "to my Lord, once again" eliminating "back home" too many words interrupt the flow.

When he gently touched my shoulder
I was filled with peace, without pain
The other took my hand and led me
To my Lord once again.

In the 9th paragraph, eliminate "For" in the first line and add it to the last line instead of "or"
making it a smoother read.

Also, there is a typo in the Title of the Poem.

These are only suggestions...you are the author of this piece.

Good Job Ellen

Beatrice Boyle (Grandma Bea)

[Lena M. P.]

Very different take on life and afterlife. I liked the twist of learning, living and then growing. Nicely written.

[Butterflymom]

WOW, this is so very beautiful, and awesome. Very well written, and well said. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful experience, and for the insight. FANTASTIC!!!

[angelinmypocket]

Oh...Ellen...this is so beautiful and so packed with emotion! I could feel your experience through your words. I'm sure there are many who are afraid of dying because they do not know what lies on the other side. The fear of the unknown. And very few cross over then come back to tell their story. Your poem is a very vivid description of seeing Heaven....then knowing ever after, there is nothing to fear. Thank you.
Love/Liz/angelinmypocket