When I Die

A poem for the times...

Bury me
beneath an old oak tree
amongst willowy ferns
in a forest green.

The moon at night
shines brighter there
and the scent of honeysuckle
fills the air.

And when you come
to visit me
you can rest your head
against that old oak tree.

But do not weep
for I’m not really gone
the love we share
will linger on.

Author's Note

With so many people dying around the world it is difficult not to think of end of life scenarios. I have always thought that I would like to be buried in a memorial forest surrounded by beautiful trees and wild flowers.

Reviews

[Kerra]

Oh Wow! I can feel this write, kinda sad but i agree with part, I don't want people to weep over me.

[Dara]

I think that would be the hardest part of leaving thinking of those left behind to mourn. Better to have a ‘celebration of life’ than a sad funeral. So nice to see you here.

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Dara... the Times are trembling like flowers in a Storm...
we are reborn with a heart that beats like the Poems of Keats...
to be forever entwined among the Honeysuckle vines. Yes, bury me among Pancies and
wild Violets, Dandelions, and buttercups... where Sparrows sing and Doves mourn. gently, Pat

[Dara]

Thank you for your beautiful review Pat. I hope you are doing well. Stay safe!

[Ankita Dwivedi]

Such a lovely and heart wrenching poem... Made me remember a it a loved one I have lost. Sometimes I feel he is right here.. In the aur that I breathe, the flowers I smell and in my very own smile... Tyfs..

[Dara]

Ernest Hemingway once wrote “No one you ever loved is truly lost.” I do believe that and it helps explain why we can still feel their presence so strongly. It sounds like your loved one was extremely close to you. How lovely that you even feel him in your smile. I am happy that my little write brought back memories of him. Hopefully they put a smile on your face. :-)

[Wórdsmíth]

a sweet soul you are... w/ dreams of sweetness. wishing you a long living life ahead...

[Dara]

Your words just made my day! Thank you for taking the time to read and share your thoughts.

[Tate Morgan]

Awe now that is beautiful.

[Dara]

Thank you so much! Hope you are doing well and finding some sort of peace amidst all the chaos.

[Tate Morgan]

I’m trying

[Abhilash Hegde]

Beautifully expressed and written!
This reads like a #wishlist. But a #wishlist for when you're gone and how to be rested in nature and be remembered. The way you express the love for wilderness and to be one with nature is noteworthy.
Thank you for writing and sharing!

[Dara]

Yes I guess you could say it would be the last wish on my bucket list. :-) Thank you for your very kind words. In times like these sharing poetry is definitely a helpful coping strategy. Take care!

[Pete]

i really like this. not a bad place to be for eternity. very sweet and touching. a serene place of rest. love is forever and never dies ... :)

[Dara]

Thank you! I am in no hurry to get there but when I do I hope my part of Heaven is something like this. So nice to see you here. Take care!

[barleygirl]

I've been living in the wilderness for 10 years & I would love to have my ashes scattered here. Your poem is simply-stated, yet deep with loving feeling & meaning. Love the rhyme & rhythm, which give the reading of this poem an easy confident gait as if dying is not a problem. As your authors note mentions, there's a ton of death happening for various reasons (fires, covid, hurricanes) & your poem reflects how numb some of us have become . . . just discussing end-of-life options like it's no big deal (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Dara]

It’s become an all too common theme along with immeasurable suffering. The thought of lying peacefully in the forest for eternity is an almost welcomed one. I so appreciate your thoughts and taking the time to read my wistful prose. I keep believing things will get better though. If 2020 is the year for “clear vision” let’s hope 2021 will provide much needed rose colored glasses again!

[Hayllie]

" But do not weep for I'm not really gone The love we share will linger on." Such beautiful words, though we all grieve differently, it's such a beautiful thing to know that death can be peaceful and eventually we can have that love back when we meet again! Very nicely written!

[Dara]

I believe that the people we lose live on through our love and memories. They stay with us tucked away in the shadows of our heart. My dog just died and the memories hurt right now but I know down the road they will be cherished . I love your insight and thoughts that you shared. Thanks so much.

[Hayllie]

Your so welcome thank you for such an interesting read!

[Aradhana]

What a lovely poem! we all think of how our end will be but this..... not only a gr8 imagination but also the contentment of peace after dying is reflected. And when our last times are with our mother earth..what can be more greater than this?! Such a beautiful piece... :)

[Dara]

Thank you so much. After the chaos of these last several months the idea of a peaceful afterlife is so comforting. Great to see you here!