Poetry Friday

I had planned to post this last Friday, but couldn't bear to sit with it at the computer.  This poem was given to all who attended Nicole's funeral.  Sadly, it is even more appropriate this Friday, as grief is compounded with the news of Joshua's death.

Death is nothing at all...

I have only slipped away

into the next room.

I am I and you are you.

Whatever we were to each other,

That we still are.

Call me by my old familiar name.

speak to me in the easy way

Which you always used.

Put no difference in your tone.

Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.

Laugh as we always laughed

At the little jokes we enjoyed together

Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.

Let my name be ever the household word

That it always was.

Let it be spoken without affect.

Without the trace of shadow on it.

Life means all that it ever meant.

It is the same as it ever was.

There is absolutely unbroken continuity.

Why should I be out of mind

Because I am out of sight?

I am waiting for you,

For an interval,

Somewhere very near,

Just around the corner.

All is well.

--Canon Henry Scott Holland