The Lighter Side of Dying...

Find the laughter in everything.

Knowing your number will soon come up

may have some distinctive perks;

for one thing, they’ll no longer criticize

your annoying little quirks.

 

You’ll not be expected to exercise ~

no weight lifting, Pilates or walking ~

and you can answer the telephone

with a hearty, “Dead man talking!”

 

When you go in for treatments,

to alleviate the gloom,

you can chat with fellow patients

about “God’s waiting room.”

 

Since we are all destined to go,

It needn't be a trial

The best way to be dearly departed

Is to leave 'em with a smile

Author's Note

After my Dad was diagnosed, he really did answer the phone this way... He had a gift for bringing levity into every situation.

Reviews

[john alan willox]

perfectly said - the closer we get to the end the closer we get to the beginning. -Nice - thanks

[Rita L. Sev]

I like that - thank you, John.

[Angel]

Well, now we know where his daughter got it from.
This is a sweet little piece, and it contains a lot of wisdom.
Since I am getting old myself, and I have a couple of health problems that are only going to get worse, this is a timely bit of wisdom for me.
And I will take it to heart.
Thank you for sharing this!

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Angel! I have been blessed with my father's quirky sense of humor, that's true. As for getting older, I am beginning to see what a blessing that can be, too. :)

[Stella Armour]

it certainly makes life easier for those who are to be left behind to remember a smile ...

[Rita L. Sev]

Absolutely! Thank you, Stella!

[Stella Armour]

you are very welcome Rita

[Tate Morgan]

I love this We cant do anything about our own demise Might as well smile back. This actually had me laughing

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Tate! That is the best reaction I could hope for!

[Baby Ricochet]

Great poem with great attitude. Stellar job.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thanks, Mark!

[Samuel Dickens]

I admire your father for having the strength and attitude that would allow him to do that. None of us can really predict how someone will behave when that time comes, including ourselves. I believe that mortal life is only one part of the journey, but still, there is that unknown.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thanks, Sam. My father faced death as he did everything else - with humor. I learned a lot from him!

[crazer]

so sorry about your Dad, great poem, easy enjoyable despite the subject matter, well crafted, really good riming good job crazerhttp://www.writerscafe.org/images/no_image_s.jpg

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you Crazer. He's been gone 10 years, and we still laugh about so many things that he did.

[Rogue]

I like this one, Rita. And it is a good way to be. Nobody wants to spend their last days surrounded by misery and tears. A laugh and a smile is the best way to go.

Great rhyme and structure. :)

[Rita L. Sev]

Thanks, Rogue - took some doing to get the structure just right on this one...

[CoffeeInfused]

Light-hearted while dealing with a serious topic, but definitely a good read that made me think a little. I like to think I'd share this kind of humor if I was in the same situation. Great poem

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, CI! This is pretty much the way my father dealt with everything, so none of us were surprised when he handled dying this way!

[Will]

I can't decide whether I want to laugh or cry. My grandfather is one who uses this kind of humor quite frequently, and I have the same reaction. Great rhyme, and very humorous. Your poems have a way of getting me thinking, Rita, and I like that. Great work as always, But one thing that I think could work: I think condensing that first stanza could really help the flow of it. How about this?:


Knowing your number will soon come up
may have some distinctive perks;
for one thing, they’ll no longer criticize
your annoying little quirks.

Just a thought, but great work, Rita!

[Rita L. Sev]

Yep - that works better. Thanks, Will! For some reason, I had trouble with the beats on this one - I had to tweak the last stanza as well. I think I was too close to this while I was writing it - wanted to get it down, then walk away from it for a while. Glad you could connect with this - that humor, dark though it is, does help! Thank you, Will!

[Will]

One of my favorite quotes is from Jimmy Buffett: "If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane." I wholeheartedly agree with that sentiment, and your dad seems like a guy I (and most anyone really) could get along with. Anything I can do to help, Rita. Nicely done!

[Rita L. Sev]

:) Yep - he was a fun guy. Thanks, Will!