Shuffle Off This Mortal Coil Poems | Examples


List of Member Poems

Supermoon act IV

Lucifer: "If I am unable, to have a ritual with you before I shuffle off this mortal coil, I will make your communion with the oblivion as unseemly as possible, when I arrive."

Aurora: "should we deign, at least the moon sooths brightly, rapidly fading the horizon meanwhile grows voracious, veraciously blotting out these of kindred spirits shouldn't relent."

DR dragon: " the plaintive field is course and bracken ties me to the pumpkin sun and every fourth night each meld and create the harvest moon in which I blithely contrive." 

PW 1: *silently crosses the foundry and springs into the well of sorrows*

---End of act IV---

Ashes To Ashes

Feel as tho' I'm going to the dogs
it's almost time to pop my clogs
kick the bucket chuck it in
call it a day take a spin
and shuffle off this mortal coil
be released from worldly troubles and toil
buy the farm and bite the dust
or cash in my chips if I must
when D-Day dawns (it's not that far)
a big bang send-off will be my last hurrah
but it's no joke
as should I croak
who will miss me
when I'm long-gone
for no matter where on earth I am
I don't fit in I don't belong
oh well easy come easy go
whether up in smoke or down below

Premium Member The Unknown

I’ve reached the unknown I can tell you
It looked like a cloud at dusk
The sunset was orange and blue
I thought for a question to ask
But soon realized I’ve no questions
Just gazed at the heaven’s turmoil
You didn’t come up with suggestion
To shuffle off this mortal coil  
So it went astray, this unknown 
It flicked on the wall touched my ceiling
Some shadows grew little bit long
Tad longer than yesterday’s evening.


Onward And Upward

Until it's time to pop my clogs,
shuffle off this mortal coil,
I'll ensure my life is fun-filled
not just daily drudgery and toil.
As all work and no play
would make me one dull boy,
listless, senseless, bored witless,
not my Mother's pride and joy.
And so, in closing, I'm compelled to say,
"Exercise free will,
don't wait, hesitate or trust to fate,
before you're over the hill."

Death In Sherwood Forest

DEATH IN SHERWOOD FOREST

Thank you for agreeing to this final interview,
Before you shuffle off this mortal coil.
You’ve lived for many centuries
And soon you’ll be returning to the soil.

Ah well, I’ve had a good life.
I can’t complain too much.
Although I have Dutch Elm disease
When I’m not even Dutch

You must have many memories,
So tell me if you would:
Back in the day, do you recall
A man called Robin Hood?

Ah, there’s a name to conjure with.
Although I was just a teen,
I could tell you a few things
That never appeared on the screen.

His romance with Maid Marion
Was portrayed as chaste and pure.
But what went on in the shade of me,
Well, you know what I mean I’m sure.

Friar Tuck hid in my branches,
One day when they were kissing.
But he was far too heavy
And that’s why one branch is missing.

I could tell you so much more,
But my sap is almost gone.
I don’t think I have the energy
To talk about Little John.

There’s one thing I’ve always wondered,
But I’ll never know I fear.
If I fall tonight in the forest,
Will anybody hear?

12th June 2023
Interview Poetry Contest
Sponsor - Anthony Biaanco

Dead People's Things

I went to Savers on the other day
And what struck me right away
Was how many things placed in the store
That were obviously from dead people not needed any more

There were James Last vinyl record collections of yesteryear
And a 50-year wedding anniversary plate held dear
So when you shuffle off this mortal coil
Your things will become an op shop foil.

© Paul Warren Poetry


Premium Member Ways To Go

Some like to say “give up the ghost”, 
To mean forever abandoning your post. 

The rowdy ones prefer to kick the bucket, 
Though that would surely make a racket. 

Many are said to bite the dust,
When they’re catching the skyward bus. 

A gambler would likely cash in his chips,
Hope he’ll change his winnings into tips.

I knew someone who turned up his toes, 
When on habaneros he overdosed. 

The more vocally inclined tend to croak,
Then become quieter than a dead oak. 

My granduncle may soon fall off his perch,
For both food and sex he has lost the urge. 

We will soon shuffle off this mortal coil,
Pack it up and immigrate to the soil. 

You’re scheduled to go the way of all flesh, 
Whether your figure is average or a smash. 

It’s no great tragedy to breathe one’s last, 
If regrets are few and life’s been a blast. 

When I’m ready to sail to heaven’s arch,
Raise a toast and wish me bon voyage!

Looking for the formal definition, structure, and history of this poetry form? Visit the Poetry Dictionary entry below. Then return to explore how PoetrySoup members bring the form to life through their own poems.

Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace