Dead To Me Means More Alive Than Ever

Before I die, I want my grandchildren to know these things.
Believe in yourself and be your own best friend.
No one else can keep your secrets like you can.
And if you do not believe in yourself, it will be difficult for others to.

I want my grandchildren to know this:
When you get old your hearing and eyesight may fly away.
Like birds on an almost weather day, never to return.
So do whatever you want now while you are fresh and young.

I want to will my five hundred paintings to my grandchildren.
For I feel my children will pluck them off my walls and burn them.
They know how swiftly I paint, and do not have a love for hippies.
Grands appreciate my neon colors, unicorns, dragons and faeries.

I want to apologize to my children for the mess I am leaving.
I did not bother to clean anything,
It will be a bonding experience for you three girls
A week or two of cousins getting together, which will amuse me.

I want to assure you that I will be in a catbird seat, watching.
I will listen to what you are saying about me, and I will laugh with you.
I never took myself too seriously, and it will be a great time for me.
Because life beyond this world is the real living. Earth life is confining.

Letting you in on a secret. I am an astral traveler in my slumber.
I am not in my body; my spirit is outside, travelling at great speeds.
I do not believe in death, because I am also an empath
I am not “dead” – I am actually more alive than ever before.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

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Theraven Avatar
October 6, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Caren, Wonderful life in astral flight writing from that lofty catbird seat. Better still, a family to look back on from those places your adventures take you. Keep teaching, listening, laughing, and most obvious, still loving. -Richard
Theraven Avatar
December 16, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Back to give a wink and a smile. In for a penny, in for a ... -R
Krutsinger Avatar
October 9, 2025 at 5:33 PM
thank you so much my friend Richard - I greatly appreciate it
Calasibetta Avatar
May 22, 2022 at 7:52 AM
Kudos to you Caren~a perfect message for our mortal souls! There is a lot of truth in what you write~death becomes a renewal of life. :)Paulette
Krutsinger Avatar
May 22, 2022 at 8:55 AM
Thank you Paulette
Vangaveti Avatar
May 3, 2022 at 4:15 AM
Wow!! This is lovely!!
Krutsinger Avatar
May 3, 2022 at 1:18 PM
Thank you Swetha I appreciate it!
Hankins Avatar
March 26, 2022 at 8:37 AM
Wow. This is one of my FAVES. I just discovered it was P.O.T.W. and I'm late... but Congratulations, Caren!
Krutsinger Avatar
March 26, 2022 at 9:19 AM
You are very welcome; better late than never Hank.
Brown Avatar
March 10, 2022 at 10:21 AM
Caren, I absolutely love this poem. Such wisdom, and I enjoyed your sense of humor. I liked the fourth verse. FAV. Oh, yes! " Congratulations on POTW. This certainly deserves the honors. Blessings ~ Debra
Krutsinger Avatar
March 10, 2022 at 11:56 PM
Thank you Debra
B. Avatar
March 9, 2022 at 7:43 AM
Hi Caren, Congratulations on your POTW!! Absolutely enjoyed your creativity. Beautifully done! I totally resonate with this. Have a blessed day and week!
Krutsinger Avatar
March 9, 2022 at 9:51 AM
Thank you Robertina I appreciate it
Ray Choudhury Avatar
March 8, 2022 at 6:05 PM
Congratulations on your POTW, Caren! What a concluding line "I am not “dead” – I am actually more alive than ever before." Amazing! Love and BW ~ Mala
Krutsinger Avatar
March 9, 2022 at 1:51 AM
Thank you so much Malabika I appreciate your appreciation. I am an astral traveler like my father, so I do not welcome death, but I embrace it joyfully.
Watt Avatar
March 7, 2022 at 4:34 PM
Congrats for your POTW, Carin. I love your spunk and honesty, and I like what you say about not taking ourselves too seriously. Enjoy your week ~ John
Krutsinger Avatar
March 8, 2022 at 2:25 AM
Thank you, John. I am enjoying myself so far! Have a great week yourself!
Lawrence Avatar
March 7, 2022 at 9:13 AM
Beautiful poignant… I can relate to a lot of this . Great to hear how your mind and heart work Carin ! Congratulations on POTW!! Enjoy the honor. Hugs, Susan :)
Krutsinger Avatar
March 7, 2022 at 10:26 AM
Thank you Susan. I am glad you enjoyed it.
Y. Avatar
March 7, 2022 at 6:37 AM
Wow! Caren, I echo what Bill said. Congratulations on getting the poem of the week. It was well deserved. Enjoy the honor. Have a nice day-Alexis
Krutsinger Avatar
March 7, 2022 at 10:26 AM
Thank you so much Alexis
Kavanagh  Avatar
March 7, 2022 at 1:52 AM
The true reality of your poem Caren, is who on earth can argue with it, wonderful writing and congratulations on a deserving POTW, cheers David
Krutsinger Avatar
March 7, 2022 at 10:27 AM
Thank you David. This was a huge honor; I have never had this before!
Seeker Avatar
March 6, 2022 at 10:02 PM
Wow! A big wow! Congrats on POTW, Caren
Krutsinger Avatar
March 6, 2022 at 11:11 PM
Thank you. I have no idea how this happened. This is a first for me and I am greatly happy!
Nicole Avatar
March 6, 2022 at 7:40 PM
"I am not “dead” – I am actually more alive than ever before" I love this thought. Keep living, Caren. :) You are honest and sincere, which are two amazing qualities. Congratulations, on Poem of the Week. My best to you. :) Brandy
Krutsinger Avatar
March 6, 2022 at 11:11 PM
Thank you Brandy. What a sweet surprise!
La France Avatar
March 6, 2022 at 3:31 PM
Caren, your poem is deep and joyful at the same time and congratulations on receiving the POEM OF THE WEEK honor ~Constance
Krutsinger Avatar
March 6, 2022 at 11:12 PM
Thank you Constance. It was a shock and I am still quivering with the thrill of it.
Baker Avatar
March 6, 2022 at 9:53 AM
I like your style, Caren. Tell it like it is. Congrats on the POTW. Awesome! Those girls are in for some surprises between now and then, I bet. A poet friend in Texas, Bill
Krutsinger Avatar
March 6, 2022 at 11:12 PM
Thank you so much Bill!
Cunningham Avatar
March 6, 2022 at 8:14 AM
Congratulations Caren on POTW, enjoy the honour. Tom
Krutsinger Avatar
March 6, 2022 at 11:12 PM
Tom, I have no idea how people can figure out what poem is POTW - I have tried but cannot figure it out.
Goldsmith Avatar
March 6, 2022 at 7:11 AM
Congratulations on this POTW win. A fun/creative write. I can see it all. You will have fun watching down. Love this cute one. Hope you are OK. Have a great/blessed~~day/week writing away...........
Krutsinger Avatar
March 6, 2022 at 11:13 PM
Thank you Paula. I am truly blessed to be on this poetry site!
Balasubramanian Avatar
March 6, 2022 at 4:44 AM
Short and uplifting. Full of love and faith.Congrats in Potw
Krutsinger Avatar
March 6, 2022 at 5:31 AM
Thank you very much!
Rodrigues Avatar
March 1, 2022 at 3:06 PM
Love this! A fave! I don’t think exactly like you but with much commonality that I find this poem endearing! God bless you, sweet friend!
Krutsinger Avatar
March 1, 2022 at 6:37 PM
Thank you Kim. I was not sure how this would be received, but at a certain time in your life - and I am there - I do not care. I throw it onto a page and wait.....
Lawless Avatar
March 1, 2022 at 5:28 AM
Well, Caren, you have made my list of "people I would love to sit down and share a cup of coffee with". I don't often tell them who why are but I think we may run into each other in that great beyond. Love this write and the attitude...WOW.
Krutsinger Avatar
March 1, 2022 at 1:03 PM
Thank you John I am getting more outspoken and ready to share my views now - just tell me when you get to Kansas City
Hankins Avatar
February 28, 2022 at 7:16 PM
Wow. This goes straight to my FAVES. Caren, this is so good, so true, so powerful. I hope you will give a copy of this to your grandchildren. I have paintings stashed behind all of my furniture, too many to hang on the walls, but I try to rotate them. If I had one of yours it would be first-rate living room!!! If you would sell me one, I would come to pick it up!
Krutsinger Avatar
March 1, 2022 at 1:04 PM
I have to admit I never sell them - I give them away! Let me know what you would like to see on yours
Hawkins Avatar
February 28, 2022 at 6:07 PM
Very well expressed, Caren.
Krutsinger Avatar
March 1, 2022 at 1:04 PM
Thank you Shirley
Bauer Avatar
February 28, 2022 at 5:56 PM
this poem is so YOU, caren! it has so much joy and personality and a whole lot of truth in it. bravo!
Krutsinger Avatar
March 1, 2022 at 1:04 PM
Thank you Ilene. I love this comment!
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