WHEN I DIE...

My life's prayer... (Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die - Amelia Burr)

 

 

When I die

I do not wish

To merely slumber into the grave

But to yield my last breath

Of my own will

When I die

I shall be found

Seeking Valhalla

Place of honor

The heavens

Having lived not fearing death

Nor fearing life

But clinging with fierceness

To all that is holy

all that is good

Life surrendered to the flames

To the orphans and the widows

To hope and peace

Not selfish glory

When I die

May I be on fire

burning bright

Like the sun

devouring the world

With my passion

And when I die,

I pray

I hope

I resolve

To die

Having been fully alive…

 

 

 

Author's Note

The Greeks didn't write obituaries... They only asked one question after a man died: "Did he have passion?"

Reviews

[Arthur Henn]

Craig, from one brother to another. "When you die, you will be remembered as a man of love that loves the gifts of beauty that God has bestowed upon your heart that is seen through the eyes of a man named Craig. Your poems, your writings, and your book (An Owl On The Moon) i think its called...If not, I'm sorry, will be the legacy left behind from a soul that has walked, talked and graced these crossroads that we all walk together. Your words will be left behind as a tool for others to read. Today, tomorrow, and forever in the hearts of all that come to know you in person and the words you write.

Art

[Gandré]

The only reason we think about death is because we don't experienced it and we fear it when our life wasn't fulfilled with innnert contentedness. We cannot ask somebody for nobody was there that could offer an answer. Your poem sounds like a wish and on ther other hand there is a need to tell us how you see yourself, it is generous wish to want being seen as man of passion, isn't it all God (The Greater Mind) wants us to do? great poem.

[Brjden (Bridge-Den) Cre..]

The reviews I'm reading are all about the passion of this piece. I read resolve. Someone who's life was lived and is prepared for the next step. Not that there was no passion.....

"When I die
I shall be found
Seeking Valhalla
Place of honor
The heavens
Having lived not fearing death
Nor fearing life
But clinging with fierceness
To all that is holy
all that is good
Life surrendered to the flames
To the orphans and the widows
To hope and peace
Not selfish glory""

Very well written.

[Salvatore Buttaci]

I can tell you put your heart into this poem! It is your wish and the wish of all of us to be able to admit we've lived as passionately good a life as possible and that God will reward us when we "slumber into the grave..."

[Clouded in Hopeful Illu..]

Very well said, and you know your history. Although the Greeks did not believe in an afterlife, I am glad that did include whether or not you believed this as well in your poem. It is full of passion and emotion as well as hope.

"To merely slumber into the grave" -- the 'into' throws me off a bit. Do you mean 'in the grave'?

"Having lived not fearing death
Nor fearing life" ----- I think this is the strongest lines in your poem. It really grasps onto the whole meaning of your poem and I think it is the most important thing about life and death.


"May I be on fire
burning bright
Like the sun
devouring the world
With my passion" --- This is my favorite stanza. It shows more passion and emotion than anywhere else in the poem for me. It suggests that even after death, the speaker still wants to be able to contribute to the world in some way even if it is 'devouring'.

Thank you for this amazing write.

=YourMidnightSecret=

[Dani California]

Craig, this entire piece is full of passion and purpose. I must say, the last lines really put it over the top for me. "To die.. Having been fully alive" Indeed! Death seems to be a part of life we dread, but we don't really die do we? We merely change form.

Beautifully penned!

[Ladysue]

Craig, this was extremely passionate and it read as if it had a life of its own...full of energy....and I loved the last line!!! Fantastic. A pure pleasure to read!

[sarah]

wow this is amazing! you put lots of emotion into your poems
nicee job:)

[Jinx's Heart]

Well said! You carry such a selfless message in this poem and more need to see it this way. Inspiration to be all you can be when you're alive (to me) reaches me in this poem. Well done! :)

[Touché Armada]

Cool write, a little morbid perhaps but who am I to judge hehehe I peak in that avenue. Its been a while sinse I stopped by here, thanks for the prompt.

[Seriana]

Oh Craig, what a passionate write. I know you and I have discussed this, but to see it written in poetic form....wow. I'm speechless. Indeed it would be MOST wonderous to go out aflame, to fade away slowly, with sparks being emitted all around. To glow, as if lighting a moonlit sky on a brisk eve. Ahhhh, Craig, you have a way with your pen that few can compare to. Thank you for such a beautiful write.