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Oh, Death Be Gentle

Oh, death be gentle and be kind whenever you shall come for me, for one day you shall be assigned to set my soul from body free. Please do not be a reaper grim. Oh, death, be gentle and be kind. When light inside my eyes grows dim, the great beyond I soon shall find. Yes, I’ll be following behind to where it is that you might lead. Oh, death be gentle and be kind. Don’t torture me or make me bleed. Please take me swiftly without pain. Let peace and joy then be entwined. Then lift me to a higher plane. Oh, death be gentle and be kind.

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Valsa George

Date: 12/3/2023 11:56:00 PM

This is truly beautiful ! A classic like Donne's "Death, be not Proud". There is great flow and smoothness of expression. Congratulations Andrea on your well deserved top win.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 12/4/2023 9:12:00 AM

oh you mentioned one of my favorite poets John Donne. Thanks, Valsa

Janice Canerdy

Date: 12/3/2023 6:00:00 PM

Andrea, a big CONGRATS on your well-deserved win with this expressive, moving poem! Janice

Susan Ashley

Date: 12/3/2023 5:49:00 PM

Dear Andrea, it's such a pleasure to return to re-read this beautiful poetic plea. Congratulations for your excellent win in Joseph's contest. Warmest wishes my friend.. ~Susan

Christina Bowring

Date: 12/3/2023 12:15:00 PM

Many congratulations dear Andrea for your top spot in the contest. I’m glad to have the opportunity to read one of your earlier poems. This is a wonderful, thought provoking quatern. The title is so poignant and conveys all that so many pray for. Well done!

Sotto Poet

Date: 12/3/2023 9:03:00 AM

Andrea your poem is exquisitely crafted and eloquently conveyed. I extend my heartfelt gratitude for this remarkable piece of poetry. Congratulations to you for securing the top winning spot. This is a fave

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 12/3/2023 11:58:00 AM

Much appreciated, Sotto.

Joseph May

Date: 12/3/2023 8:13:00 AM

We hope at the end that peace "lifts us to a higher plane", Very nicely done Andrea, Congrats on your win

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 12/3/2023 11:59:00 AM

Thanks so much

Susan Ashley

Date: 3/30/2022 12:55:00 PM

Dear Andrea, you so eloquently speak for me too with this heartfelt and beautifully poetic plea. So soothing in its repetition, rhythm and lovely rhymes. Warmest wishes, my friend.. ~Susan

Andy Chunn

Date: 3/29/2022 10:30:00 AM

A cry I think we all understand and wish for. Beautifully written and expressed. Thank you for this poem. I'm not sure it can be said much better than this.

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 3/7/2022 12:10:00 AM

I wish for this too "Please take me swiftly without pain." - I think everyone does, and it is sad how many suffer so long before their death. This is nicely done.

Hilo Poet

Date: 3/6/2022 12:20:00 PM

Beautiful quatern, Andrea, repetitive sounds liken to, "Do not go gentle into that good night", my friend. My compliments truly, Aloha~William

Paulette Calasibetta

Date: 3/5/2022 5:12:00 PM

Congratulations on your win in the contest! A heartfelt plea for a death of grace. Lovely, :)Paulette

Christuraj Alex

Date: 3/5/2022 9:09:00 AM

"do not be a reaper grim" - Great Work. Congratulations!

John Watt

Date: 3/2/2022 9:42:00 PM

This is amazing writing, Andrea. There is a classic poetry feel to it and kind of a Emily Dickenson vibe in how you personify death and speak to it in your requests. I LOVE it - Fav.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 3/3/2022 6:53:00 AM

thanks so much, John

Joe Maverick

Date: 3/2/2022 1:00:00 PM

Can anything be more brutal than life In the worst passes though? There's a thought Andrea.' Yet again we only Know so much as always, my Advice can only Be Trust in Jesus, keep faith in the Lord be Attentive to the Holy spirit.'

Bj Legros Kelley

Date: 3/2/2022 12:02:00 PM

Wow Andrea, <3 May God bless you with a long-long life before this plea of mercy is granted. Amazing poem, <3 ~BJ

Michael Tor

Date: 3/1/2022 5:58:00 PM

We all wish this ending Andrea, hope you are well.

Bill Baker

Date: 3/1/2022 3:11:00 PM

A reasonable request, Andrea. May you rest / die in peace. I've always wanted to pass in my sleep like my mother did. She was ready and seemed calm and peaceful as she closed her eyes for the night, not knowing it was her last night here. Great entry, IMHO. Hugs, Bill

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 3/1/2022 1:36:00 PM

Excellent! I find myself weaving through your every word!

Jeff Kyser

Date: 3/1/2022 11:31:00 AM

Very nice, Andrea

Joe Dimino

Date: 3/1/2022 11:17:00 AM

:) Lovely write, Andrea; good chance I will meet him/her before you -- I will attempt to plead your case, smoothing the way:) Blessings my friend.

Rico Leffanta

Date: 3/1/2022 10:23:00 AM

So many people mourn the death of a loved one rather than give thanks that they went peacefully rather than as those who died yesterday in the Ukraine! Well done, Andrea, and good luck in the contest! Aloha!

Margarita Lillico

Date: 3/1/2022 8:15:00 AM

Ah, Gentle and Kind, one can't ask for better go. Beautifully expressed, skillfully rhymed and what a tender (lively)flow! Well done, girl! M.

L Milton Hankins

Date: 3/1/2022 7:46:00 AM

Exceptional writing, per usual, Andrea. I could really relate to your quatrains on death. At my age, I suspect it is the most common of thoughts. I think I most hope I go quietly in my sleep...or perhaps on an operating table. In any case, I want the whole thing to go smoothly!

Vijay Pandit

Date: 3/1/2022 4:47:00 AM

So well written, Andrea, as always. Wonderful voice to your poem and superb rhythm and flow.

Tom Cunningham

Date: 3/1/2022 2:29:00 AM

I think it's something we all wish for Andrea, peaceful and surrounded by loved ones. Tom