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The Gateway To Paradise

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image credit - CBC.ca

"Down, down, down into the darkness of the grave Gently they go, the beautiful, the tender, the kind; " Edna St, Vincent Millay * *Death* *Will come* *At some point* *No one is spared* *And in the darkness* *Will appear a bright light* *That guides you to paradise* *Your family should not mourn you* *Because spirit and soul are at peace* *Having left behind all your earthly woes* ** ** ** ** ********* ********* Written 20th May 2020 For Etheree Poetry Contest Theme chosen number 3 - Death Sponsored By Dear Heart.

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Valsa George

Date: 7/3/2022 2:44:00 AM

A beautiful poem on death ! More striking is the layout design ! You are an artist too.....

Tom Cunningham
Date: 7/3/2022 3:53:00 AM

Thank you very much Valsa, I'm happy you enjoyed it. Hopefully not too soon for both of us but it will come one day. Tom

Constance La France

Date: 5/28/2020 10:37:00 AM

Tom, beautifully penned and so creative and I love your image. Congratulations on your win in my contest _Constance

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/28/2020 10:52:00 AM

Thank you very much Constance and thanks also for hosting the contest. Hope you're well. Tom

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 5/27/2020 12:47:00 AM

A beautiful poem Tom and congrats on your fantastic win, but I don't how how much at peace I'd be if i couldn't see my loved ones before I died as I'd know how thy felt - however I admire the way you creatively with immaculate craftsmanship delivered a poem which will give many the peace they are looking for. Well penned Tom, Blessings, Jennifer.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/27/2020 9:31:00 AM

Thank you Jennifer, nobody knows when they will get the call so we have to enjoy life whilst we have it, I believe death is just the next stage of our existence. Tom

Aditi Mishra

Date: 5/25/2020 1:43:00 PM

Your words leave an impact and the creativity you have put in uplifts them. I believe every dying human has a wish that their family should not mourn them but celebrate their life in the end. Congratulations on your win Tom :)

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/25/2020 1:52:00 PM

Thank you very much Aditi, I hope my family do not mourn me but as you say celebrate the life I had, Pleased you enjoyed it. Tom

Jenish Somadas

Date: 5/25/2020 10:16:00 AM

Wow..Wonderful Etheree Tom..Congrats on your great win..

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/25/2020 10:21:00 AM

Thank you very much Jenish, I'm happy you liked it Hope you're well. Tom

John Watt

Date: 5/24/2020 8:27:00 PM

Tom, your upward pointing arrow is brilliant for this contemplation about death and the afterlife. Your wisdom is soothing; death is a gateway to a better place. It is inevitable, and should bring peace to both participant and mourner alike. Congratulations on this excellent etheree, my friend ~ John

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/25/2020 6:52:00 AM

Thank you very much John, I'm happy that you liked it. It will come for us all and if you're strong in your faith then you have nothing to fear. Tom

Eve Roper

Date: 5/24/2020 4:43:00 PM

Back with a Big congratulations on your 1st place win. Hugs Eve

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/24/2020 4:47:00 PM

Thank you very much eve. Tom

Nette Onclaud

Date: 5/22/2020 3:41:00 AM

a soulful, beautiful take on the afterlife, tom!...winning wishes though you don't need it!...huggs

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/22/2020 4:12:00 AM

Thanks very much Nette, pleased you liked it. Hope you're well. Tom

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 5/21/2020 8:26:00 PM

Perfection sometimes comes our way in poetry form - I believe this is one of those times Tom.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/21/2020 9:29:00 PM

Thank you Caren, I do like the etheree form, I suppose we all have our own interpretation of death, this is mine. Tom

Timothy Mcguire

Date: 5/21/2020 7:03:00 PM

well done Tom! I could never figure out to type that tree. Im Impressed

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/21/2020 9:27:00 PM

Thanks Timothy, glad you liked it. Tom

Eve Roper

Date: 5/20/2020 11:17:00 PM

Like the shape, and the wisdom in your words. Good luck in the contest. Hugs Eve

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/21/2020 4:26:00 AM

Thank you Eve, like many I believe death takes us to the next stage of our existence. Tom

Judy Ball

Date: 5/20/2020 11:02:00 PM

Lovely Tom. Everytime one door closes another opens. The end of one thing is the beginning of another. Good write. God Bless and stay well. JB

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/21/2020 4:27:00 AM

Thank you Judy, I believe we carry on not just cease to exist. Hope you're well Tom

Gershon Wolf

Date: 5/20/2020 8:59:00 PM

Very interesting, very! how you laid this one out, Tom. Brilliantly conceived! :) gw

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/20/2020 9:30:00 PM

Thanks Gershon, the rules said you could be creative so thought why not.

Robert L. Hinshaw

Date: 5/20/2020 7:22:00 PM

Great sermon, you have here, Tom! I like the verse and the format you designed. Glad you liked the Clutter poem. Seems that to get rid of clutter is an on-going problem for all of us and makes us now wonder why we collected such useless and needless stuff to begin with! Stay safe, my friend -Bob

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/20/2020 9:29:00 PM

Thank you Robert, I keep saying I must have a clear out or it will be left to my daughters when my times up. Tom

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 5/20/2020 6:43:00 PM

I so agree with this. My aunt Joan passed on the 13th. Salt of the earth woman but living in a horrible way on oxygen, etc. She is in a much better place now and with the world as it is becoming, she got out just in time to the much better place that awaits us all. WELL DONE

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/20/2020 9:27:00 PM

Thank you Andrea, my condolences to you on the loss of your aunt. But you're right, she is in a better place and suffers no more. Tom

Ilene Bauer

Date: 5/20/2020 3:25:00 PM

wow! i wish we could all feel so calm about death, tom! well done...

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/20/2020 4:02:00 PM

Thank you Ilene, I try not to think too much, I know it will happen one day. Tom

Gordon Mcconnell

Date: 5/20/2020 2:52:00 PM

Fine write Tom, with lovely tree effect telling the eternal effect of death. Trust all well, Blessings,Gordon

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/20/2020 4:00:00 PM

Thank you Gordon, I believe that our earthly life is but a stepping stone. All well here and hope you are too. Tom

Jan Allison

Date: 5/20/2020 12:23:00 PM

brilliantly penned Tom and I love the tree effect with the etheree from, the melancholy theme is going to appeal to Constance!:-) hugs Jan xx

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/20/2020 1:13:00 PM

Thanks Jan, I was feeling creative this morning, I do like the form. Tom

Panagiota Romios

Date: 5/20/2020 11:10:00 AM

From your well friend in Ca! I love this Tom. Golly, Hope you win first place! In my book and heart, you already have. Superbly done! ~~~ FAV~~ From California, Maskless, well and defiant, Panagiota xoxo

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/20/2020 11:48:00 AM

Thank you very much Panagiota, I'm happy you liked it, and for the fav. Tom

Paul Callus

Date: 5/20/2020 8:50:00 AM

I enjoyed reading this poem delivered in Etheree and tree form, Tom. Though it speaks of death, it is a reminder of an eternal heavenly state where earthly woes are unheard of. ~ Regards // paul

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/20/2020 9:06:00 AM

Thank you Paul, happy you enjoyed it. Hope you're well Tom