Headstone

Life may be hullabaloo now, Perhaps apoplectic, Conceivably cuckoo, Or it feels like the World is ending, Apocalyptic, But maybe— Just maybe, Someday I'll be me, Happy and free, Like a ballerina In a tedious tutu. In the end, All I want— Just one thing— Just one— Inscribed on My headstone “ I have loved, I have lived”

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Daniel Henry Rodgers

Date: 7/9/2025 11:33:00 AM

Dearest Anne, I missed conversing with you. I think you have this way of capturing the wild, messy, beautiful noise of life and how sometimes it all just feels too much, too loud, too upside-down. And yet, even in the middle of that storm, you find a way to dream about freedom, about happiness, about dancing (even in a tedious tutu!). That last wish. “I have loved, I have lived.” Isn’t that what we’re all really after? Not perfection, not endless happiness, but to have truly loved and truly lived, even if it’s messy, even if it’s hard. I’m so grateful to walk this journey with you, to witness your courage, your vulnerability, and your relentless, beautiful spirit. Summer Blessings, My Dearest Anne, Daniel

Anne Winter
Date: 7/11/2025 4:41:00 AM

Dearest Daniel, I missed you too. Life is indeed messy but it's the beautiful kind of messy. There are storms but there's also sunshine. I'm so glad that I'm on this journey with you in it, my dearest friend. Your words mean a lot more to me than I can decipher. Your notes always leave a smile on my face for weeks. Thank you so much for being such a brilliant friend. I'm so grateful for our friendship. With love and respect always, Anne

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 7/3/2025 10:14:00 AM

What a creative write you have here. Love It... As a child I always wanted to be 21. A magical age/time for me. It came and went way toooooo fast. Remember, age is just a number. Hope your life will be filled with love. Have a fun day writing away...........

Anne Winter
Date: 7/4/2025 5:43:00 AM

Dear Paula, yes, 20 seems like a really big number to me. I'm still 19, and I should live in the moment instead of worrying. Thank you for your lovely note, I appreciate you :)

I Am Anaya

Date: 6/28/2025 8:36:00 AM

To have loved and lived y e s how we live and what we make of it shall be our own legacy It's a noisy world and its easy to let it distract us To have loved and been lived is just as crucial I'd get on that :D I'm pretty sure you'll have changed your headstone inscriptions dozens of times In other words you have the whole world and life ahead of you! Bol on your journey poetess~

Anne Winter
Date: 6/28/2025 6:28:00 PM

Aww thank you so much, sweet friend! I truly appreciate you :)

Hiya Sharma

Date: 6/24/2025 9:24:00 AM

Oh my, what a deeply heartfelt and profound piece of poetry this is! I am absolutely awestruck by the way your emotions flow here, ever so seamlessly throughout along with a raw, evocative essence. The perspective of life that you've portrayed here is soul-moving, dear! Life is truly a journey with alternating phases of hardships and happiness. And you've described that in such a crisp manner here! All those moments in which we truly feel alive, are what count and make everything meaningful. So glad that I stopped by this beautiful poem today! Many best wishes and light to you, and what a coincidence, we are almost the same age, I just turned 20 two months ago! :)

Anne Winter
Date: 6/24/2025 6:55:00 PM

Hello Hiya, I'm so glad you enjoyed my poem and you understood it so deeply. I will be 20 in almost 3 months and I don't know what is it but I'm so scared and excited at the same time haha. Thank you for such a lovely and thoughtful comment :)

Tom Woody

Date: 6/23/2025 7:35:00 AM

Chaos, anarchy, insanity. Yep and more to come. Meantime we try to maintain some sense or normalcy. Hopefully you have many years to go before you have to start thinking about headstone selection. Nice write

Anne Winter
Date: 6/23/2025 7:32:00 PM

Yes, headstone is just a metaphor here. Fortunately, I have so many years before I have to think about a headstone. Thank you so much :)

Ink Empress

Date: 6/21/2025 8:28:00 AM

Awwn thats so beautiful, you have such a beautiful way of perceiving life and more and it reflects not just through your poetry but in every way whenever you interact through comments and more! A very well flowing poem and life does seem apoplectic and more and yes somethings are cuckoo but the good and the bad and the light and dark all makes it all an experience worthy of telling! Pleasure reading your free verse that flows well! Sending you light always

Anne Winter
Date: 6/23/2025 7:30:00 PM

Thank you so much, dear poetess. I appreciate you :)

Zyrool Gifford

Date: 6/21/2025 6:25:00 AM

Hello Anne, this is beautifully written, Those words on a headstone are so powerful. Sending Blessings your way and wishing you a wonderful weekend, my friend.

Anne Winter
Date: 6/23/2025 7:29:00 PM

Thank you so much, dear poet friend :)

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 6/19/2025 2:09:00 AM

A great epitaph but I hope you have a long life ahead of you, with plenty of your wonderful poems. Hugs.

Anne Winter
Date: 6/19/2025 7:40:00 AM

Dear Victor, thank you so much, I appreciate your heartfelt comments, dear friend. Hugs :)

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 6/19/2025 1:49:00 AM

- I see you write your age ... almost 20 years ... oh. dear Anne ... your life has just begun ... “I have loved,I have lived” ... this "gift" called life has much more to give you ... let it be an exciting journey my friend :) - hugs

Anne Winter
Date: 6/19/2025 7:39:00 AM

Dear Anne-Lise, I'm so grateful that I'm living the gift. And I'm also excited to see what the future has for me. Thank you :)

Paige Hind

Date: 6/18/2025 5:28:00 PM

This is beautiful. I just love what your epitaph would be.

Anne Winter
Date: 6/18/2025 7:00:00 PM

Dear Paige, thank you so much but it's just a metaphor :)

Sara Kendrick

Date: 6/18/2025 4:23:00 AM

Ahh!! I am hoping that you have loved and lived. Life can help us fulfill our dreams or hinder us from achieving them. I hope that life has given you both love and life. Sara K

Anne Winter
Date: 6/18/2025 6:59:00 PM

Thanks, Sara! Your words resonate with me. I'm still figuring things out, but I'm excited for the journey ahead. Turning 20 in a few months feels like a milestone, and I'm looking forward to the opportunities and experiences that come with it. But at the same time, I'm scared. I feel like I want to stay 19 forever.