There Was Nobody

There was nobody who could come and weep at his graveside.

So we invited the misty mountain, the gusting moorland

And meandering little river where he had sat down and fished;

But, they were all previously engaged. still, we went anyway.

Someone had to lower the coffin...and songs refuse to sing

If nobody is there to listen.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

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12
De Beaulieu Avatar
February 15, 2026 at 11:14 AM
Hello John, It is sad when noone shows up at a funeral. i have seen one funeral like that. I wonderd why it turned out that way. Your frikend, /Darlene/
McBride Avatar
August 13, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Beautiful writing evoke such sadness. I have buried a person just like this. We sang anyway. Thank you for your beautiful poetry John. Tracy
Fleming Avatar
August 19, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Hello, Tracy. Thank you for your kind and generous comments - mujch appreciated! :) john
Mac Donald Avatar
August 13, 2025 at 6:04 AM
A tender and wistful poem John. Inviting the places that had mattered so much to him... Feels like a! .heart wrench. Thank you for sharing this amazing write, John!
Fleming Avatar
August 13, 2025 at 6:19 AM
Thank you, Michelle. I think part of me is in this poem...I have always felt more at home in the hills and beside the river. :) john.
Cornwall Avatar
August 4, 2025 at 12:11 PM
I’d have sung! I’m thinking lately of picking up my guitar and starting to play again! Great poem John.
Fleming Avatar
August 5, 2025 at 1:31 AM
Thank you, Patrick. I am sure your singing and guitar playing would have been much appreciated! :) john
M  Avatar
August 3, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Your beautifully sad poem touched my heart John! I often think of those in life who are alone without anyone at the end….how incredibly lonely it must be! A heartfelt poignant write! Oh and big Congrats on POTD! Deserved…..Debx
Fleming Avatar
August 3, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Thank you, Deb. I really appreciate your very kind comments - much obliged! :) john
Gauthier Avatar
August 2, 2025 at 4:38 PM
A lovely poem that leaves the reader thinking about our own mortality and the inevitable question 'would anyone miss us'... and what are we doing to ensure the type of outcome we desire? Congrats on your POTD, John.
Fleming Avatar
August 2, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Thank you very much for your kind comments, Line. You are always most welcome here. My very best regards! :) john
George Avatar
August 2, 2025 at 4:55 AM
Hi dear John, I am back to congratulate you on your moving poem that deserves the honor of POTD.
Fleming Avatar
August 2, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Thank you so very much, Valsa. I truly appreciate your kindness. Cheers! :) john
Chiri Avatar
July 31, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Amazing John anc I see you got POTD too! Even more amazing !;)
Fleming Avatar
July 31, 2025 at 8:05 AM
I wrote this in less than ten minutes. Someone on here, I think it was Andrea, once left me a comment reminding me that the best poetry had a certain spontaneity to it. I think she is right - lol. :) john
Hind Avatar
July 30, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Congrats on POTD! Emotionally sad, but beautiful.
Fleming Avatar
July 31, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Thank you, Paige...very kind of you to say so. Your comments are much appreciated! :) john
Ray Choudhury Avatar
July 30, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Congratulations on your POTD. It's a sad and emotional poem, but wonderfully written!
Fleming Avatar
July 31, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Thank you, Malabika. Your kind comments are very much valued I can assure you. My best regards! :) john
Hamilton Avatar
July 30, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Congrats on potd John, so sad but well written as usual, your style is so effective!
Fleming Avatar
July 31, 2025 at 3:05 AM
Thank you, John...high praise indeed. You are always most welcome here. Cheers! :) john
Nicole Avatar
July 30, 2025 at 2:13 PM
John, this is tender and emotional, all at the same time. Even though no one was around physically speaking, God was near. Your thoughts caress gently around me and my heart. Congratulations on Poem of the Day. My best to you. Hugs, Brandy
Fleming Avatar
July 31, 2025 at 3:07 AM
Lovely comments, Brandy -- my most sincere thanks! :) john
Manassian Avatar
July 30, 2025 at 1:11 PM
So sad... how can there be nobody to pay °respects? I liked the line about nature being previously engaged. Clever. Congrats on POTD.
Fleming Avatar
July 31, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Many thanks, Eileen. Your kind comments are very much appreciated. :) john
Baker Avatar
July 30, 2025 at 12:10 PM
It's a sad thing to die alone. Well-written poetry, John. Congratulations on your POTD! Enjoy your day of recognition, my friend. A poet friend in Texas, Bill
Fleming Avatar
July 31, 2025 at 3:02 AM
Many thanks, Bill - much appreciated! :) john
Goldsmith Avatar
July 30, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Congratulations on your POTD win. I enjoyed reading your wonderful "There Was Nobody" write. Have a blessed day with your win...........
Fleming Avatar
July 30, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Thank you, Paula...you are very kind. :) john
Rodrigues Avatar
July 30, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Congrats on POTD!!
Fleming Avatar
July 30, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Thank you, Kim! I truly appreciate your congrats. :) john
Alhemaidy Avatar
July 30, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Hello John :-) Very interesting read! congratulations on p.o.t.d.
Fleming Avatar
July 30, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Thanks, Abdullah. I am very grateful for your kind words. :) john
Rodgers Avatar
July 30, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Hello John, Congrats on POTD. I felt the solitude, yes, but also a strange kind of reverence. Even when no one shows up, something holy still happens. That is what makes a great poem. Summer Blessings, My Friend, Daniel
Fleming Avatar
July 30, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Thanks Daniel! Your splendid remarks are very welcomed. Cheers!
Gifford Avatar
July 30, 2025 at 5:57 AM
Hello John, congratulations on winning POTD with this very touching and beautifully written poem. Have a wonderful day as you celebrate.
Fleming Avatar
July 30, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Many thanks, Zyrool. Cheers! :) john.
Etgen-Baker Avatar
July 30, 2025 at 3:00 AM
returning to congratulate you, John, for your POTD designation for this eloquent and poignant poem
Fleming Avatar
July 30, 2025 at 5:05 AM
Thank you, Sara...your praise is very much appreciated by me. Your friend. :) john
Seeker Avatar
July 30, 2025 at 2:57 AM
A leaf fell, no one noticed but God’s heart felt the tremor. Enjoyed your poem, John. Warmest congratulations on POTD.
Nicole Avatar
July 30, 2025 at 2:06 PM
My thoughts exactly, US. God is always near.
Fleming Avatar
July 30, 2025 at 5:03 AM
Thank you, U.S. You know of course...you are always going to be most welcome here. :) john
Jones Avatar
July 30, 2025 at 2:30 AM
So somber yet eloquently beautiful! Congratulations on potd!
Fleming Avatar
July 30, 2025 at 5:01 AM
Thank you for stopping at my little corner of the Soup, Karen. Appreciated greatly! :) john
Winter Avatar
July 30, 2025 at 2:23 AM
How poetry can make sadness beautiful, wow, this poem left me breathless. Congratulations on POTD! Enjoy your special day
Fleming Avatar
July 30, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Thank you, Anne...I think your comments are really very lovely. :) john
Edmonds  Avatar
July 30, 2025 at 2:11 AM
It’s a sad way to end one’s days, no one to cry or to say goodbye. Congratulations on receiving poem of the day John… Beryl
Fleming Avatar
July 30, 2025 at 4:57 AM
Thank you, Beryl - much obliged! :) john
Andresen Avatar
July 30, 2025 at 2:08 AM
- More and more people are dying "alone" and leaving the world in solitude today ... back in time "everyone" showed up for a final goodbye ... to show respect - A sad world we live in, John - Congratulations on your p.o.t.d. :) - hugs
Fleming Avatar
July 30, 2025 at 4:57 AM
Thank you, Anne-Lise. You are always most welcome here. :) john
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