Tuesday, May 24

Death Is Nothing At All

Winifred Perry 1939
Having been away on holiday it gave me lots of time to think. My mum kept coming to my mind, she died a few years back. This reminded me of a poem about death I found in her purse - where she knew I would find it. It was handwritten and I had no idea at the time who it was by. I have since learned that it was written by Canon Henry Scott-Holland, 1847-1918, Canon of St Paul's Cathedral, London.

As I felt I was meant to find the poem I included it in her funeral service. Today I felt that I should publish the poem, perhaps it is meant to help someone with their loss.

Death Is Nothing At All

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 are still.
Call me, by my old familiar name.
Speak to me,
in the the easy way you always used.
Put no difference into your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
What is death, but a negligible accident?
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.
Nothing is past; nothing is lost.
One brief moment and all will be as it was before.
How we shall laugh
at the trouble of parting when we meet again!

It also got me thinking about how many people we all are. The photo of my mum at the top of the post shows her in 1939 and the one below is on her 80th birthday. Her smile was the one thing that remained constant.

Winifred Perry 80th birthday
Our loved ones are always with us.

Bookmark and Share

10 comments:

  1. What wonderful photos and the poem is beautiful. Your mom's smile is as huge as the outdoors, Mike.

    ReplyDelete
  2. A lovely poem and a smile I know you hold dear in your heart.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wonderful. The smile and pose in your picture matches your mom's. :D

    ReplyDelete
  4. yes, your photo and especially the one of your mother when she was younger are so much alike! even the tilt of the head! incredible! and what a beautiful poem - one that obviously meant a lot to her and that she wanted to share with you -

    oh, one other thing - your mother's name - winifred perry - my mother's name winifred [alwilda] perry -

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks Trish, Neva, Therese and Gypsy - two Winifred Perrys, small world as 'they' say.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh, I love this poem Mike! And your Mum was a beautiful lady. Thank you for sharing this with us!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous04:35

    Thank you, Mike - this poem has helped me today. Am often thinking of my sister in law, who we lost last year. I miss her and still find it hard to believe she's gone. The poem gives much comfort.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your kind words. Glad to hear the poem may have helped.

      Delete
  8. I will always keep this on file. My dad has been ill for a while and I know it will hit me like an avalanche when his time comes. The poem is beautiful and so welcoming. Thank you! Ida in New Haven, MI, USA

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Ida. All good wishes to you regarding your father.

      Delete