Play Not a Dirge When I Am Gone

Play Not A Dirge When I Am Gone

Play not a dirge when I am gone;
light no candles, not even one.
A treasured poem would be enough  
to mark my end when curtain’s drawn.

Hold no sad wakes to honor me
some happy poems, I’d rather be 
recited on a night for friends
then spread my ashes o'er the sea.

And wonder not nor be afraid
if less of love you have conveyed;
you’re part of me and that’s enough,
while life’s not fair, I’m not dismayed.

If comes a time that you remember
that one fine day in November,
then send a kiss toward the sea
and just forget this fly in amber.*


When I Am Dead My Dearest

by Cristina Georgina Rossetti

When I am dead, my dearest,
Sing no sad songs for me;
Plant thou no roses at my head,
Nor shady cypress tree:
Be the green grass above me
With showers and dewdrops wet;
And if thou wilt, remember,
And if thou wilt, forget.

I shall not see the shadows,
I shall not feel the rain;
I shall not hear the nightingale
Sing on, as if in pain:
And dreaming through the twilight
That doth not rise nor set,
Haply I may remember,
And haply may forget.



*fly in amber - noun, reminder of the past


No More Masks Contest
Sponsor: Catie Lindsey

Copyright © | Year Posted 2015



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Date: 10/31/2015 9:35:00 AM
Very much enjoyed, Kim, thank you! jimbo
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Date: 10/30/2015 6:40:00 PM
Play Not A Dirge When I Am Gone.... This is my thoughts as well...The crude translation of one of ^Rumi^'s Verse is this: Go and die, go and die, let this existence pass you by. This existence is your tie and prisoners you and I.Thank you for showing me the way.
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Date: 10/11/2015 8:54:00 AM
wow, I had not read her winners' list even though I was on it. Yours is superb, Kim. CAn't believe I missed this one of yours. You chose such a great poem to emulate, and I like yours just as much as the famous author's whose poem you chose! Congrats for your win. I will have to see the list again to see where you placed!
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Date: 10/2/2015 10:12:00 PM
Hi KIm, congratulations on your wonderful win. SKAT
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Date: 10/2/2015 9:23:00 PM
Kim excellent win! You have done justice to her farewell write.
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Date: 10/2/2015 6:15:00 PM
Dear Kim What a memorial piece of poetry, a tribute of sadness and life, just subperbly done, and written so well, simply excellent, cheri
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Date: 10/2/2015 6:07:00 PM
BOTH ARE TRULY AWESOME POEMS. Kudos on such creativity and your win my friend. A7
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Date: 10/2/2015 5:56:00 PM
Your descriptive is beautifully expressed KIM. A great deal of work is done in this perfect write. A fascinating piece............A.M.
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Date: 10/2/2015 2:37:00 PM
Wow, Kim...this is so lovely, and how well you have echoed the poetess' feelings through your own emotional words. A heartfelt congratulations to you on your wonderful win. 7, Hugs, Sandra
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Date: 10/2/2015 8:06:00 AM
A brilliant write deserving of its win! In line with the sentiments you so beautifully expressed, I prefer to go with a celebration of my life than with an overflow of grief. Congratulations, dear Kim! Pandita
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Date: 10/2/2015 8:01:00 AM
Enjoyed both poems..I was not familiar with this writer..I will have to look up some of her works..Thanks for the visit to my page..I appreciate the time spent there..Sara
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Kendrick Avatar
Sara Kendrick
Date: 10/3/2015 6:02:00 AM
Kim, I read some of her works and enjoyed them..I will have to try to get a copy of some of her works in a book..Thanks for letting us know about her.. Sara
Nunez Avatar
Kp Nunez
Date: 10/2/2015 11:01:00 PM
Thank you, Sara! She's the author of A Daughter of Eve and Remember. The above poem is my personal favorite, though.
Date: 10/2/2015 12:54:00 AM
An excellent poem - well done for its win, Kim.
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Date: 9/30/2015 9:42:00 AM
You've more than done justice to her beautiful farewell poem.yes you're right,like you I also would appreciate a simple farewell without the festival.
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Date: 9/30/2015 4:59:00 AM
A profoundly metaphysical and melancholic writing that beautifies poetic expressions, dear Kim!
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Date: 9/30/2015 12:16:00 AM
Excellent. Well penned. Enjoyed reading it. Thanks for sharing it.
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