Best Death Sad Poems
Haunted by the death of dreams
and slaughtering of innocence
but too afraid to dig up the bones
and examine our own mistakes,
we bury our heads instead,
blindly following greedy leaders
who give nothing but hollow words
and meaningless moments of silence.
I know I’m not the only one asking -
what more can we do?
As summer nears, sunlight stirs
in streams, surprising delicate gardens
with dreams of daffodils.
Their bright eyes, wide with secrets,
suddenly close, and their dainty petals
wither until they are no more.
Knowing these last days
of spring rain will remain,
summer retreats.
Soon, their daffodil dreams will be
just a memory.
After darkness falls, all is numb.
New roots breeding evergreen
suddenly turn dry and dull.
Promises forgotten,
potential lost to pain -
tomorrow’s tree weakening.
The shimmering green of innocence
is gone, but fiery guns are drawn.
How can we forget while whipping winds
constantly howl? How can we only cry
as hatred’s bullets continue to fly?
Smoky skies once boisterous and blue
now choke our most cherished blooms.
The silence of complacency
is evil’s sickening laughter,
Do you hear its rifle reloading faster?
My blue tears turn blood red,
anger gushes, flooding me
from sea to dimming sea
in this vast land of violence versus vulnerability.
We are no longer free to dream,
no longer free to tend to our gardens,
to breathe in and measure
each miraculous moment,
to watch our fragile flowers strengthen
and grow to beautiful heights.
With head bowed, I listen
to the silence of my tears falling
where the flowers once grew.
I can no longer hear the cries
of the fallen with petals blowing.
I only hear the howling winds
of this never-ending nightmare,
and again I ask,
what more can we do?
5/25/22
I pass the graveyard deep in snow.
One woman at a headstone weeps
all dressed in black like winter crows
as memories in warmth she keeps.
While icicles from boughs hang low
one woman at a headstone weeps.
Still muted angels' trumpets blow
and 'cross the powder darkness creeps
while icicles from boughs hang low.
On granite crags do snowflakes heap
where frost on trees like lichens grow
and 'cross the powder darkness creeps.
As past the iron fence I go
her mortal love in silence sleeps
where frost on trees like lichens grow.
My heart into my throat now leaps.
I pass the graveyard deep in snow;
her mortal love in silence sleeps
all dressed in black like winter crows.
They rise up before me, marbled stones like the stars
are embracing the evening, while they shatter the heart
Scattered fields, vast and somber, keeping silent the valiant
who have fallen so bravely, while forsaking the cost
Many names are forgotten, and some have been lost
New crosses still growing from the damp grass below me
I have lost count, as my eyes seek horizons
Reflecting on lives of the soldiers, unknown
Deeply I'm falling without knowing how far
Into the depths of the fields that have drawn me
Into reflection and asking the questions
That are tossed to the sky, without answers to why
My eyes can't believe all the sadness before me
I have lost count and my heart drowns in sorrow
Searching for reason, seeking answers, unknown
_________________________________________
7/15/15
There's an old ashtray in the middle of the room,
half filled with ashes and half filled with gloom.
A reminder of things burning away,
like a mind filled with memories, too many to stay.
It's sitting next to an old photo book,
frozen inside are the smiles that were took.
Pictures of Summer's youth and naive trust,
now sitting still and covered in dust.
There's a chair left empty, the other one used,
by an old man with a heart, lonely and bruised.
There's a church down the street, with a graveyard out back.
A stone with two names, together forever, Rita and Jack.
Now Rita lies waiting for her life's mate,
while Jack sits alone til they carve in his date.
3/20/20
STAND BY ME
Oh my darling the news is so bleak
I saw the consultant only last week
Think we better start making plans
See the vicar; hear the wedding banns
All I’ve ever wanted was to be your wife
For better for worse, through trouble and strife
The consultant confirmed I’ll not last the year
Oh kiss me my darling; just hold me so near
Wedding plans float around in my head
My dying wish is that we should wed
Time is running out so we mustn’t linger
I want your wedding ring upon my finger
A simple ceremony, just as quiet as can be
All I ask my darling is that you stand by me
SIDE BY SIDE
All I ask my darling is that you stand by me
My life is slowly ebbing away you see
We always dreamed that one day we’d wed
I don’t have long on this earth, and soon I’ll be dead
I know our hasty wedding is not the way we planned
Having spoken to the vicar, I know he understands
We talked about our future, but now our plans must change
Today we’ll be declared man and wife with gold rings exchanged
We had so many plans of how our lives would be
Sadly god has a very different plan for me
Tears flow down our cheeks, as we become man and wife
I will love you my darling for the rest of my life
My dying wish was to be your bride
Now I can face my fate with you close by my side
Contest: Famous Last Line: Sponsored by Laura Loo
02~28~16
Past the graveyard deep in snow
where icicles from boughs hang low
one woman at a headstone weeps
as memories in warmth she keeps,
all dressed in black like winter crows.
Still muted angels' trumpets blow
where frost on trees like lichens grow
and 'cross the powder darkness creeps
past the graveyard.
As by the iron fence I go
the granite gapes in pewter rows.
My heart into my throat now leaps;
her mortal love in silence sleeps
in frozen ground while snowflakes blow
past the graveyard.
11/14/17
This is a rewrite of my Terzanelle, "I Pass the Graveyard".
She couldn't contain her rhapsody demeanor much more
hugging her husband and gushing with excitement as he closed the door
the third class cabin was modest but she thought it would do
finally spending time together in this steerage cabin room
After dining together and playing cards with some other passengers
they retired to their cabin and did some reading till their eyes tired
then they spooned together in the darkness of the room
and made passionate love being they were on their honeymoon
Sound asleep till they we're abruptly awaken by a violent jarring
finding out from people running about it was from an icebergs scarring
throwing on their overcoats they we're thrown two lifejackets
and fought their way up to the top deck amidst all the panic
Their weary eyes saw the last lifeboat being lowered down to the ocean
many brave men staying behind waving trying not to show emotion
the newlyweds hugged each other while their faces wept
about to go down with the ship into the fathomless depths
They held hands while trying with all their might to hold on and grip
as the ship rose up perpendicular making them and others slip
the ship now offered nothing but quietus to the passengers on board
as they both plummeted in slow motion down to the ocean floor
Some survivors in the Titanic lifeboats watched with pitiful awe
while others who lost loved ones lost control and bawled
the ones who lost many possessions tried not to show too much enmity
while the newlyweds love story would last for all eternity.
3-18-18
BOOM!! Explosion,
fire, smoke, serene...
As I realize what has happened;
Just what i've done to me...
Focusing, I regain clear vision;
As i'm gazing straight towards me,
I see myself, Bloodied;
Crumpled in a seat...
I look upon all the chaos,
that now lyes before me;
Almost as if, as if in total disbelief,
of the horror that's been created...
created within me,
by me, for me,
too me...
Lifeless, no movement from my chest;
Lifeless, without momement;
No breath...
My eyes opened wide
potruding, it seem's;
As if frightened, or caught by surprise;
I lie there, looking directly back at me,
mesmerized.
As I watch myself, lying there,
My eyes, looking into my eyes;
I drift some, just a little;
I'm farther away now,
still aware of my feelings;
Emotions,
somehow still apart of me...
Overwhelmed with regret,
of what I now see;
Alone, no movement;
Me, Looking back at Me...
(FICTION, PLEASE. It is easy for me to write in the first person, but nearly all my poems are fiction. Please don't attribute this poem to me. I loved my wife to distraction. For ten years she was sick and I cared for her like a baby. My only regret is that the ambulance which took her away would not allow me to be driven with her. I knew she would die and she would have wanted me near her despite her dementia. We were lovers. I don't know where I got this old poem of mine, but it is still fiction.)
Shifting relentless time,
sand in hourglass trickles slowly
towards its final hour.
Pretending I care not,
I bask in the sun,
enjoy mellow breezes,
I wait; the end will come.
The sky is clear, my mind is not,
in truth I am distraught,
echoes of a distant past
ripple through my futile thoughts
reminding me of your last visit.
Now you stir in your desolate grave.
My listless life is at a crossroads.
I hover in a vicious vacuum,
remember all the senseless shame,
slide after seamy slide recalled,
all your wants and needs
which I demonically and cruelly denied
despite the reparable ways,
you made my fantasies would not come true.
Now it is too late.
Frustrations tear my sinful soul,
I lie bound in a wicked web,
I'll drink my teacup of remorse
tomorrow is another curious chance:
I pray for spiritual rebirth.
(Written in Iambic Pentameter- suitable for music)
Harambe, living in captivity-
mock forest of the Cincinnati Zoo,
within this human world, good as can be,
beneath those peering eyes that visit you.
And what bad fate for you when, suddenly,
no fault of yours, a child falls to your space.
At first, you seemed to act quite caringly;
you held his hand and looked into his face.
But then the shrieks of humans made you wild
and frantic, as you soon became afraid.
You dragged him to and fro, that little child-
and chaos then ensued, decisions made.
If only they had found a simple way;
removed the crowd to hush upsetting screams,
perhaps your primate nature would then play
into a more protective stance, it seems.
Or maybe darted you to bring you down
and not forever, just a little while,
to rescue the small boy and take the crown
for saving both and ending with a smile.
Harambe, poor gorilla, your sad day,
to have them end your life for their neglect
of building an enclosure in some way,
allowed a tiny child to fall direct.
Within your borrowed space of humankind,
where you knew not of freedom, nature's way,
you had to face your end, your days maligned
as a dark beast to pay the price that day.
Harambe, living in captivity,
mock forest of the Cincinnati Zoo,
not many of you left on Earth to see;
so sorry that this fate has come to you.
Innocent lifeless
Pretty children rest in peace
Let us pray for them
The kids were victims
The shooter was victim too
Let's not put a blame
Exclamation sign
Love family, love it right
Don't loose, hug them tight
Dear educators
Part of the victims as well
The lifetime tribute
Mourn traveled the world
Burn by cause last on effect
Careful in our steps
Author's Note:
Deep condolance for the victims of Sandy Hook School in Newtown, Connecticut,
Inspired by Zamalea George Poetry "Sweet Children, Sleep"
*****************************************************************
4th place
poetry soup VIGIL" Free Poetry Contest
Sponsor SKAT- AB SIN THE-
Alone; as you lie on your bed
The stars brighten, serene
Such an ecstatically lovely scene
While these visions float in your head
Imagining hues of purple: divisions of colorful red
Teardrop sparks sprinkle the room
All around in sweetness croon
The words unheard, not said.
Beauty beheld in radiant eyes
In you resides the strength of Achilles
Though at war within your smile is silly
All and sundry cries
A child unknown, underlies
This babe: birthed in the lion’s den
Whimpering song of saddened sin
Precious glowing guise.
A moments life on a dealers rate
Mommy’s whoring liquid lance
Living within your secret trance
Ungodly was to procreate
Yet yours is to a tempted fate
To feel, to float, to steal a scream
A life conceived within a dream
With this are you given another date.
Heaven awaits sweet heroin hero
Innocent babe with your precious grin
What you have now is only ten
Seconds counted backwards to zero
Alone to dwell in your place of limbo
A pasture for you, a bed of clouds
One more broken breath allowed
Goodbye sweet heroin hero.
BY: DARREN J McMURRAY
January 21,2008
Feeling rife with satisfaction, I paint it black,
hours, minutes, seconds, let it bleed as tears go by.
Time waits for no one, she’s so cold - no looking back;
wild horses in my veins and I’m a fool to cry.
Hours, minutes, seconds, let it bleed. As tears go by,
can’t you hear me knocking, Heaven? gimmee shelter..!
Wild horses in my veins and I’m a fool to cry ~
sweet brown sugar is waiting for me to melt her!
Can’t you hear me knocking? Heaven, gimme shelter,
sympathy. For the devil shattered paradise;
sweet brown sugar is waiting for me to melt her.
Life, a beast of burden - shooting my tumbling dice.
Sympathy for the devil shattered paradise.
Waiting on a friend; sister morphine. I’ll miss you
life. A beast of burden shooting my tumbling dice,
it’s all over now, give the damn devil his due.
Waiting on a friend. Sister morphine, I’ll miss you.
Time, waits for no one... she’s so cold, no looking back.
It’s all over now. Give the damn devil his due
feeling rife with satisfaction... I paint it black.
Susan Ashley
April 7, 2018
~ Second Place ~
Contest: Music Pantoum
Sponsor: Silent One
*each line is 12 syllables and rhymes*
19 song titles
Rolling Stones; Song Titles:
Satisfaction, Paint it Black, Let It Bleed, As Tears Go By, Time Waits For No One, She’s So Cold, Wild Horses, Fool To Cry, Can’t You Hear Me Knocking, Gimme Shelter, Brown Sugar, Sympathy For The Devil, Shattered, Beast Of Burden, Tumbling Dice, Waiting On A Friend, Sister Morphine, Miss you, It’s All Over Now
*Street names for heroin*
Brown sugar, horse
Don't ask me to apologize for being the monster inside
I refuse to set any agony i have aside
Don't ask me to torch out the fuse i have growing
There is so much torment behind this face without anyone knowing
Don't ask me to unmask this demon i enshrine deep in the dark
It fuels my spirit, whats left of me creating a tiny spark
Don't ask me to let go of the past
All the exploitation has been passed
Don't ask me to neglect the flashbacks you put into my head
So many wounds on my arms from the times you made me bled
Don't ask me to excuse all the sin you created
Cause my heart is buried distant enough it has to be gated
Don't ask me to uncoil and live a little
For how many times you beat me till my bones became brittle
Don't ask me to not dread all of this
I'd have to count the times of deaths i'd nearly miss
You've made me the monster
now don't ask me to apologize
"Put on channel seven.
My Lord!! What have they done!
I can not believe it..
they killed my only son!"
Raised with respect.
Never a problem.
Worked hard as a Man.
Problems..he would solve them.
He did well in College..
He struggled..but made it through.
Held his chin up when he was down.
Gods help..guided him through.
He put down his cup of coffee.
Kissed his daughters face.
Ran to catch the bus.
To join the daily race.
On the 105th floor,
"Ding!" and he steps out.
He can already hear.
His boss’s vivid shouts.
It’s 9:15.
We are staring at the screen.
The worst disaster I have ever seen.
The building collapsed.
My heart went numb.
Where..Oh! Where,
is my only son?
Did he make to the office?
Lord tell me..it’s not true.
God, take me instead of him!
Please help him get through.
"Where is my Daddy?"
I was staring in her eyes..
I saw it then..she realized.
"Why would they do it?
..What have they done?
I said, "We are not to hate but..
..but they have killed my only son."