A Rhapsodic Requiem

Death is the finality, not the process.

A RHAPSODIC REQUIEM

In the end, all that will be left -

Are drifting ashes and broken bones.

In the end, the forgotten memories

Are all we will get to hold.

 

In a blink, the whole world

Can turn upside down.

When at the brink, ask yourself:

What would I change the next time around?

 

In the distance, we can hear

The heart beating its steady drum.

When come near, you can hear

The silence of a sepulture.

 

“We come alone, we go alone,”

They teach us in their gravest voice.

“But, should that mean we live alone?”

Ask the young and naïve above the noise.

 

A little further down the line,

You look back at your fetus-self.

And wonder: What was it that made me young?

What made me so different?

 

It is the fire! The raging fire!

That burns within all of us.

Don’t let it die; never let it fade -

As time rushes by in a blur.

 

For, in the end, all that will be left -

Are brimming fire and icy flakes.

But, under these stars, the world is ours,

The ashes and bones get washed away.

*  *  *

Author's Note

Suggestions would be most welcome.

Reviews

[KWP]

Interesting take when you wrote death is the finality ... I have never viewed death as such ... I believe that we are made of atoms and therefore we shall always flow on in the big scheme of things ... Death to me is just a door from here to there and should not be feared just accepted ...

In saying that your words here are marvellous ... A reminder to live, a reminder to love, a reminder to cherish each and every moment of the now, for really, the now is all we have and as you said it can be gone in a flash ...

One of my own mottos .. 'Life is here now, let's live it.'

Well done a very thought laden write X

[Sally Hope]

Thank you so much for this wonderful review. You made me rethink my own thoughts and opinions on life and death. True, we are all made of atoms and, therefore, always remain a part of the grand scheme of things, but we never get to become what we are today, who we are now, ever again; that is a finality. As you said: "Life is here now, let's live it." Thanks for stopping by :)

[KWP]

Oh now that's something for me to ponder right there ... Do me a favour and read tHe Fine Art of Leaving Without a Trace from my profile ... I would love your deepened thoughts 😃

[Chris]

I like the tones of the words read aloud... the timing and flow works well. The Voice for me is what's most difficult to assign - what I hear and how ...aloud... and that's how it should be.

[Sally Hope]

Glad you liked it (You did, right?). Hope I don't let you down with my other works.

[Calamityofgin]

Really like this piece...and love the title..my only suggestion since you said they would be most welcome..rhapsodical should be rhapsodic.
Used improperly in front of requiem..and a Rhapsodic Requiem. I use coined words and use them incorrectly on purpose a lot...usually though its a stylistic choice amongst others. Its a refined piece..a refined and elegant title..but that is nit picking..i enjoyed this lyrical melodic
Prayer in song!

A very deep insightful piece..you have to use your brain to read it for full meaninf and i love that! And i love the ashes to ashes incendiary message of this fire of youth we should be bourne back to so we do not miss a moment of tthis fleeting life..

And as said so elegantly expressed with a lot of thought behind it..

Love and wishes for a forever young heart...

Calamity of Jennifer

[Sally Hope]

A really helpful review, Jennifer! A "Rhapsodic" Requiem does sound better. Thank you so much for taking the time to read it :)

[Calamityofgin]

Was my pure pleasure...🌸

[Coyote Poetry]

Powerful and true words.
"For, in the end, all that will be left -
Are brimming fire and icy flakes.
But, under these stars, the world is ours,
The ashes and bones get washed away."
In the end. All things become ash and bone. No weakness in the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[Sally Hope]

Thank you for stopping by :) Glad you liked it.

[Coyote Poetry]

I did and you are welcome.

[BlaqkShadow]

Love this poem, brilliant and beautiful imagery and emotional wording. It makes me think about the brevity of life, but also it's raging beauty and brilliance. My favourite verse is :
“We come alone, we go alone,”
They teach us in their gravest voice.
“But, should that mean we live alone?”
Ask the young and naïve above the noise.

It's a chilling verse, age and experience vs hopefulness and youth. Fabulous writing :D

[Sally Hope]

Thanks, BlaqkShadow. That's the verse that speaks to me the most, too. Watching the elders around me, and then hanging around with people of my age, made me question why we were so different. I guess, that's the reason I wrote the poem in the first place.

[marchmadness]

this would be a dope rap song! awesome writing!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sally Hope]

Thanks :) Would love to hear this get rapped.

[marchmadness]

Me too! 💙💚

[Dana Ferguson]

What I felt from this was a strong sense of urgency to take charge of our lives and live life to the fullest no matter the outcome. Love this.

[Sally Hope]

Thanks :) People often forget that the course of their lives is ultimately in their hands. Just wanted to send everyone a gentle reminder.

[alifeacoustic]

Great take on what it is to live, as well as die and everything in between. The stars were there before us and will be long after we are gone. What we do with the fire within is what will define us, we should all keep it burning furiously. Great write.

[Sally Hope]

Thank you for taking the time to read it.

[Johnny]

Im very impressed! thank you for the read request please send me more when you want to! You could really make this into a song! yeah? with support from a flute? I think it speaks volumes about the temporary status of our existence.. but even fire and ice will dissipate until even the great void collapses.. (that last part is still unproven but I believe it) Please Sally make more like these!

[Sally Hope]

Yeah, I think I'm on this crazy writing streak at the moment, so it'll be sometime before I stop making "more like these" :)

[Strawberry Evil]

Generally I love every text that has a fire in it. :D And yes, this one too. At first I tought it was a little long, but it's not too long after all. I like the mood, the passion of writing that you have. Makes me jealous :D Well written, strong mood and excellent choices of words, good job!

[Sally Hope]

"There's no jealousy where there's no strong regard". So, I'll take that as a compliment :D. And thanks for liking the poem. Fires always rock!

[Strawberry Evil]

Yes it is a compliment xD Sorry if it sounded wrong :D Yeah! Just found a notebook full of poems with fires... Should I be worried of myself lol

[Sally Hope]

Don't be. We all have notebooks full of weird stuff :D