"Toss His Ashes"

Why cry and carry on in a graveyard when you never bothered to come or call when he was living. [This is not about my husband, it just says how some people are.

                            'Toss His Ashes'

So long buried... beneath six feet of clay,
Watching those that cry...listening to what they say.
Seeing the hands place flowers, at his feet;
Funny...flowers never came, when his heart did beat!

Being visited more now than when alive on the earth.
Faces reflecting...just what one soul is worth.
Some kneel and pray...and then petition for his soul;
Not even knowing...Christ lived inside, when he was whole.

Everyone speaking in quietly...low hushed voices.
He would have heard them long ago is given a choice.
Why cry now...when he was overlooked for so long?
Does visiting the graveyard...help to right old wrongs?

Tears and flowers, lay them on the grave and read the name;
Let a few teardrops fall...pray...and say ..you are so glad you came.
Forgetting all of the years...he suffered in pure neglect;
Looking at the tombstone, do you wonder and reflect?

Love does not enter a heart...that is dead and gone.
Voices mean nothing...he would rather lie alone.
When he needed kindness...not one soul was there;
No one to say 'I love you' or to say' I do care.'

Do not lay cut flowers...to whither at his feet;
When you cared so little...when his heart did beat.
Do not weep and pray...when you never really cared,
If you had loved him...your time...you would have shared.

Just toss his ashes, and no graveyard...lie him in;
When his soul...was alive...where were you then?

 

     Valentine

Reviews

[D. Hansen]

It is lovely in a dismal way, people trying to mend what was broken when really they should have never broken it. Whether it be friendship or romance, let us learn to be thankful and enjoy what we have before time is lost.

D xxx

[Coyote Poetry]

"Just toss his ashes, and no graveyard...lie him in;
When his soul...was alive...where were you then?"
I want trees planted for me. I want to grave for a old empty suitcase. Your poem open the door to thoughts about life and people. My dear mothers complained about visiting my Grandmother. I told her. One day you will wish you did more often. You left lessons for the reader in this poem. Thank you for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[paul sal.....]

They were selfindulged, now realize the error of their ways or they only wanted others to think they cared.

[Star Wolf]

So sad but so true. I often thought this same question. Why go out of your way to attend someone's funeral when you could never find the time to visit when he/she was alive?

Very well written and structured poem. Creative and impressive.

[Zahra]

Very well penned. thanks for sharing

[Sheila Kline]

Oh yes, I have known of this in more circumstances than I like to admit! It does no good to visit a grave after one is one - that is only for the person who grieves. Let us love the living and remember the dead, but know they are just that.......
Nice thoughts - hope they convict ones who need a jab!

[Sami Khalil]

A very touching poem. People can be hypocritical and self-centered. I get the message, care about the person when they are living more than when they are dead. Excellent...:).....................

[Donald Meikle]

I think you meant IF given the choice but If he lived his way what matters who drops a few flowers to rot.

Well said. (but needlessly)

[John Anderson]

you touch our hearts deeply with your words.