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There Was Nobody

There was nobody who could come and weep at his graveside. So we invited the misty mountain, the gusting moorland And meandering little river where he had sat down and fished; But, they were all previously engaged. still, we went anyway. Someone had to lower the coffin...and songs refuse to sing If there is nobody to listen.

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Deb M

Date: 8/3/2025 10:53:00 AM

Your beautifully sad poem touched my heart John! I often think of those in life who are alone without anyone at the end….how incredibly lonely it must be! A heartfelt poignant write! Oh and big Congrats on POTD! Deserved…..Debx

John Fleming
Date: 8/3/2025 1:31:00 PM

Thank you, Deb. I really appreciate your very kind comments - much obliged! :) john

Line Gauthier

Date: 8/2/2025 4:38:00 PM

A lovely poem that leaves the reader thinking about our own mortality and the inevitable question 'would anyone miss us'... and what are we doing to ensure the type of outcome we desire? Congrats on your POTD, John.

John Fleming
Date: 8/2/2025 4:44:00 PM

Thank you very much for your kind comments, Line. You are always most welcome here. My very best regards! :) john

Valsa George

Date: 8/2/2025 4:55:00 AM

Hi dear John, I am back to congratulate you on your moving poem that deserves the honor of POTD.

John Fleming
Date: 8/2/2025 5:23:00 AM

Thank you so very much, Valsa. I truly appreciate your kindness. Cheers! :) john

Brenda Chiri

Date: 7/31/2025 7:51:00 AM

Amazing John anc I see you got POTD too! Even more amazing !;)

John Fleming
Date: 7/31/2025 8:05:00 AM

I wrote this in less than ten minutes. Someone on here, I think it was Andrea, once left me a comment reminding me that the best poetry had a certain spontaneity to it. I think she is right - lol. :) john

Paige Hind

Date: 7/30/2025 9:50:00 PM

Congrats on POTD! Emotionally sad, but beautiful.

John Fleming
Date: 7/31/2025 3:10:00 AM

Thank you, Paige...very kind of you to say so. Your comments are much appreciated! :) john

Malabika Ray Choudhury

Date: 7/30/2025 6:37:00 PM

Congratulations on your POTD. It's a sad and emotional poem, but wonderfully written!

John Fleming
Date: 7/31/2025 3:09:00 AM

Thank you, Malabika. Your kind comments are very much valued I can assure you. My best regards! :) john

John Hamilton

Date: 7/30/2025 5:41:00 PM

Congrats on potd John, so sad but well written as usual, your style is so effective!

John Fleming
Date: 7/31/2025 3:05:00 AM

Thank you, John...high praise indeed. You are always most welcome here. Cheers! :) john

Brandy Nicole

Date: 7/30/2025 2:13:00 PM

John, this is tender and emotional, all at the same time. Even though no one was around physically speaking, God was near. Your thoughts caress gently around me and my heart. Congratulations on Poem of the Day. My best to you. Hugs, Brandy

John Fleming
Date: 7/31/2025 3:07:00 AM

Lovely comments, Brandy -- my most sincere thanks! :) john

Eileen Manassian

Date: 7/30/2025 1:11:00 PM

So sad... how can there be nobody to pay °respects? I liked the line about nature being previously engaged. Clever. Congrats on POTD.

John Fleming
Date: 7/31/2025 3:04:00 AM

Many thanks, Eileen. Your kind comments are very much appreciated. :) john

Bill Baker

Date: 7/30/2025 12:10:00 PM

It's a sad thing to die alone. Well-written poetry, John. Congratulations on your POTD! Enjoy your day of recognition, my friend. A poet friend in Texas, Bill

John Fleming
Date: 7/31/2025 3:02:00 AM

Many thanks, Bill - much appreciated! :) john

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 7/30/2025 9:45:00 AM

Congratulations on your POTD win. I enjoyed reading your wonderful "There Was Nobody" write. Have a blessed day with your win...........

John Fleming
Date: 7/30/2025 11:26:00 AM

Thank you, Paula...you are very kind. :) john

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 7/30/2025 8:18:00 AM

Congrats on POTD!!

John Fleming
Date: 7/30/2025 8:47:00 AM

Thank you, Kim! I truly appreciate your congrats. :) john

Abdullah Alhemaidy

Date: 7/30/2025 7:34:00 AM

Hello John :-) Very interesting read! congratulations on p.o.t.d.

John Fleming
Date: 7/30/2025 7:43:00 AM

Thanks, Abdullah. I am very grateful for your kind words. :) john

Daniel Henry Rodgers

Date: 7/30/2025 6:47:00 AM

Hello John, Congrats on POTD. I felt the solitude, yes, but also a strange kind of reverence. Even when no one shows up, something holy still happens. That is what makes a great poem. Summer Blessings, My Friend, Daniel

John Fleming
Date: 7/30/2025 7:40:00 AM

Thanks Daniel! Your splendid remarks are very welcomed. Cheers!

Zyrool Gifford

Date: 7/30/2025 5:57:00 AM

Hello John, congratulations on winning POTD with this very touching and beautifully written poem. Have a wonderful day as you celebrate.

John Fleming
Date: 7/30/2025 7:38:00 AM

Many thanks, Zyrool. Cheers! :) john.

Mark Massey

Date: 7/30/2025 4:45:00 AM

Excellent piece, John…shades of Eleanor Rigby.

John Fleming
Date: 7/30/2025 7:36:00 AM

Thanks Mark. I will seek it out.

Mark Massey
Date: 7/30/2025 6:51:00 AM

Beatles song…

John Fleming
Date: 7/30/2025 5:16:00 AM

Thank you, Mark. I will be reading up on Eleanor Rigby in the next few available hours. Appreciate you putting me onto the name. Much obliged, Mark! :) john

Tom Woody

Date: 7/30/2025 4:21:00 AM

Awesome sauce. Enjoy your special day Mr Fleming

John Fleming
Date: 7/30/2025 5:13:00 AM

And damn! Again I have dropped that bl..dy 'r' out of occurrence. Spelling never was my strong point.

John Fleming
Date: 7/30/2025 5:11:00 AM

Thanks, Tom. Your own contribution, however, regarding your singing poetry, is far more deserving though of an award than me in my opinion. I am almost speechless at your obvious talent; and being almost speechless is not a common occurence with me. My very best regards! :) john

Sara Etgen-Baker

Date: 7/30/2025 3:00:00 AM

returning to congratulate you, John, for your POTD designation for this eloquent and poignant poem

John Fleming
Date: 7/30/2025 5:05:00 AM

Thank you, Sara...your praise is very much appreciated by me. Your friend. :) john

Unseeking Seeker

Date: 7/30/2025 2:57:00 AM

A leaf fell, no one noticed but God’s heart felt the tremor. Enjoyed your poem, John. Warmest congratulations on POTD.

Brandy Nicole
Date: 7/30/2025 2:06:00 PM

My thoughts exactly, US. God is always near.

John Fleming
Date: 7/30/2025 5:03:00 AM

Thank you, U.S. You know of course...you are always going to be most welcome here. :) john

Karen Jones

Date: 7/30/2025 2:30:00 AM

So somber yet eloquently beautiful! Congratulations on potd!

John Fleming
Date: 7/30/2025 5:01:00 AM

Thank you for stopping at my little corner of the Soup, Karen. Appreciated greatly! :) john

Anne Winter

Date: 7/30/2025 2:23:00 AM

How poetry can make sadness beautiful, wow, this poem left me breathless. Congratulations on POTD! Enjoy your special day

John Fleming
Date: 7/30/2025 5:00:00 AM

Thank you, Anne...I think your comments are really very lovely. :) john

Beryl Edmonds

Date: 7/30/2025 2:11:00 AM

It’s a sad way to end one’s days, no one to cry or to say goodbye. Congratulations on receiving poem of the day John… Beryl

John Fleming
Date: 7/30/2025 4:57:00 AM

Thank you, Beryl - much obliged! :) john

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 7/30/2025 2:08:00 AM

- More and more people are dying "alone" and leaving the world in solitude today ... back in time "everyone" showed up for a final goodbye ... to show respect - A sad world we live in, John - Congratulations on your p.o.t.d. :) - hugs

John Fleming
Date: 7/30/2025 4:57:00 AM

Thank you, Anne-Lise. You are always most welcome here. :) john

Jan Allison

Date: 7/30/2025 1:54:00 AM

sad on so many levels John. The stark imagery of the misty mountain and gusting moorland really hit home hard. many congrats on POTD! hugs Jan xx

John Fleming
Date: 7/30/2025 4:55:00 AM

Thank you, Jan. Your kind comments are very much appreciated! :) john

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 7/29/2025 10:47:00 AM

You’ve captured the sadness, John! Nobody could come, and we wonder if he was loved, or the last or far away…love the enigma. The next couple of lines hint at his love, his wanderings. Someone was therw after all, but only tolower his coffin with no songs, after all, really there was no one to listen. A fave!

John Fleming
Date: 7/30/2025 4:51:00 AM

Thank you, Kim - much obliged for comments! :) john