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

[Kristin Lee]

I like this one. We tend to be so serious about death, and yet it does happens to all of us. If you knew when it was going to happen, is that not almost a gift? Because then you have time to say goodbye, to get your affairs in order. Unlike other ways to go. There is a lighter side to death, and this was a great way to show it. Well done.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Kristin. We were glad my father had that time - and that he was able to find the odd humor in his illness.

[John Lauterbach]

I had a ball reading this. I want to call the first two stanzas dark humor, but it's too light-hearted for that despite the subject being death.

On the third and fourth stanzas the mood shifted for me. It got specific and judging by your note, personal. The humor dropped off there, but the last two lines were emphasized by it.

I also felt this one. My aunt had leukemia and spent the rest of her days doing everything she could to laugh and spread the joy around. I appreciate this piece on that level as well.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you so much, John - I'm glad you were able to connect with the joy intended here. Yes, these were really things my father did when he knew his time was getting shorter - in fact, just as he always did - Life was funny to him, and I guess Death was too, in its own way.

[SyberRose]

Enjoyed the write Rita...Well I dont know if you liked him answering the phone that way though...but he certainly had a sense of humor...Enjoyed reading...Rose

[Rita L. Sev]

Thanks, Rose! I can tell you that it drove my mother nuts when he did that - and he also made comments like "God's waiting room" when he went to the doctors. He was indeed amusing!

[SyberRose]

He was certainly was...thanks for telling us the story.

[richom]

Delightful. If only it turns out to be true. I loved the "Dead man talking," which I believe is a play on a movie title. I joined WritersCafe only yesterday and am uncertain what is considered an appropriate rating for a poem one enjoys and admires. I hope the rating I gave is not too far off base.
I write only rhymed, metered poems; and yours is only the third I've found so far. I would appreciate it if you could look at my first submission (The Life of Ice). I'm not sure if my poems are the type and caliber expected on this website, and I'd like your opinion. Thanks.

[Rita L. Sev]

Welcome, Richom, and thank you for your review! I will head over to your page tonight! I tend to write rhyming, metered pieces too, but not all. Feel free to check out some of my other poems. There are many wonderful poets here - you'll get the hang of it!

[TL Boehm]

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

Wise words. This is a wonderful poem - and sound advice. I deeply admire those who can do this. Perhaps it makes their passing easier for all involved. Its a gift to be able to find humor in everything. A great poem!

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, TL. This was my father's gift - he found a way to laugh at everything. It really did make the end easier, for him and for us.

[Marie]

Your dad must have been quite a person...I'll bet he left everyone with a smile.

[Rita L. Sev]

He really did - we still laugh about so many things he did. Thank you, Marie.

[s y e]

Ha, I really loved this. I loved how you managed to find a positive in it, it's a great thing. I think, personally, there is a positive in all situations but at the same time, a situation is quite a hard blow, it hurts you inside and sometimes you can't see that positive. You have though, well done, Rita! :)

" and you can answer the telephone
with a hearty, “Dead man talking!” "

This made me smile, it was quite cute, too.

~ Noodle.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thanks, Noodle - this was my Dad's way. He really did answer the phone like that - drove my mother crazy! :)

[s y e]

Ha, I guess it's good that he stayed positive and didn't give up.

My pleasure. x

[SteveB]

The first three stanzas are wonderful - they show your signature wit and style. The last stanza however I had a problem with. You had such a lovely rythmn going and then thre was this jolt.
I read it over a few times trying to see if there is a marke change in narrator or in tone and while there is the philisophical approach in the last stanza it is not enough to explain this great a change.
Sorry to sound like a negative review it is just that I adore your writing and that last stanza I could not get. Which is a shame as I loved the first three

[Rita L. Sev]

Steve, I am grateful for your review - don't worry about being negative - just be honest! I see what you mean about that last stanza - the cadence changes. I'll work on that! Thank you again!

[SteveB]

Thanks. I did worry about seeming negative. I am sensitive that way. But in a Randolph Scott way not an Alan Alda way.

[Rita L. Sev]

:) Fret not - Now, if you would please re-read - I made some changes to that last stanza. Let me know what you think (honestly!) :)

[SteveB]

As we say in New York "out-flipping-standing". Well maybe that isn't a direct translation of what we say but you can read between the dashes. I love the emphasis on "dearly", it highlights the whole mood of the piece. Aces over Kings!

[Rita L. Sev]

Whew! Thank you, Steve - I like this better too. I appreciate your help!

[quinfinn]

sure...why not joke about it? i do....besides, i have already met the reaper on two occasions, not strangers. this is a well penned and uplifting piece.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thanks, Quin - I think the Reaper has a sense of humor, too!

[QuietlyCrash]

I love how most of the poems you write have such an uplifting positive nature to them. This one made smile, giggle, and tear up all at once. Beautiful!
Sincerely,
Riley

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you so much, Riley! Life needs to be taken in with joy...