Alone

( a poem retrieved from a former poetry site, remembering the old and lonely who die alone,who deserve more than compassion)

a frost, pencil sharp

left a hard bite, unwelcome

in the silence of a cold, stark night

in her grave beneath sunken stone

she alone, for forty years past

turned weary, teary in her final days

gave up and bade a sad farewell,

switched off the dim and unkind light

died without a smile on her lips

stars in sequinned sympathy

jumped to attention, did their best

stood on guard, lined a pathway

saluted her homeward flight 

to peace and eternal rest, 

no earthly mourners had she

Reviews

[.]

No earthly mourners had she... How sad. A person dearly wants someone beside his/ her death bed... No one want to be alone and old age is the time when the frail body want some warmth in the relation as the vigour has gone. How pathetic that in this situation some are left alone to die..

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Sima. Sadly that is reality. Some people die completely alone and have no one to mourn them. That is a really cold and lonely death.

Chris

[barleygirl]

This is a beautifully graceful way to describe a deeply sad circumstance. I check our covid death toll almost every day & it's never without acknowledging that most of the 245K deaths are old people who probably died alone due to various restrictions/distractions -- just as you've described here. Your poem is so sincere & searching, it compels me to try to imagine how this kind of dying would feel (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Margie. An old poem and yet it is so relevant today with the covid deaths, and how it is the elderly who are mainly taken. I have heard of many dying alone.

Chris

[Dave Brown]

It is sad that end of life can bring such indifference but for the few sorry souls I have seen drift away, they have had no awareness of anything around them

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dave. You are right, they may not feel it and that is a good thing. However, I am so sorry that they should pass in such lonely circumstances. All good wishes.

Chris

[Broken.]

"Everyone on this earth dies alone." Sad, but true. You want to be there for them, want to hold their hand while they journey to the afterlife, but you can't - it's something only they can experience on their own. This makes me think of my Dad. I wish I could've been there for him when he passed, but I try to remind myself that he's not suffering anymore. He left this earth not to suffer anymore. I just wish I could've been the one to chauffeur him out.

[Chris Shaw]

I'm sorry you couldn't be with your Dad when he died, that must be hurtful for you. Many thanks for calling and leaving your thoughts Broken.

Chris

[AJNJ]

Loneliness is a killer in itself. It just exacerbates the bitterness of life, especially the last days. It was indeed a harsh and unkind light for her and with the switch-off, an equally dark end. I hope there is a softer more soothing light beyond and that she is finally at peace. Your words are felt powerfully here, Ms.Chris!

[Chris Shaw]

There are many poor souls like this lady AJ. I find it incredibly sad when someone dies and there isn't a single person on earth to mourn their passing. You just wonder, what happened. Appreciate your kind words.

Chris

[T.S. Ulmus]

What an amazingly powerful piece you have crafted here, not often will a poem pull a "wow" out of me. But this one is wow Worthy.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for that very encouraging review. TS Ulmus. All good wishes.

Chris

[alanwgraham]

How sad, Chris. Yet this far too common and their purdah is not through choice. I helped a neighbour in the village by keeping his garden tidy for a nominal sum. John had no family and no regular friends. When he passed away recently there were about 15 of us at the grave and it was obvious his path had crossed that of others. You've written a lovely open and made us think.
All the best
Alan

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Alan for your share. Interesting to hear. All good things.

Chris

[Tepo]

This was a beautiful tribute
Though alone you have given them a voice
No earthly mourners had she
Going by the comments she has some now.
Well done and well written

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Tepo for sharing your thoughts and visiting this page. You are very welcome.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Chris ... during the night I looked at the sequined sky... it was filled with thousands of twinkling lights... a special person or person(s) took flight ... but not alone... I saw their journey and awesome celebration from our panoramic view from the top floor of our Observatory where we sleep. A lovely poetic Story of a lonely person who made her trip alone... and became a distant Star to guide a poet home. gently, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

What beautifully poetic reviews you always leave dear Pat. Thank you, especially for this one.

Chris

[Tania Mo]

Everyone deserves a happy death.To switch off the light knowing a nice rest is ahead.People shouldnt die alone.

[Chris Shaw]

You are so right Tania, no one should die alone, and yet many do.Thank you for considering these lines. Your visit appreciated.

[Ruth]

Such a sad reality for some, completely rips my heart out, I was so pleased to see such a tenderly poised poem as this this morning Chris...this needs to be not only written from your artistic pen but broadcasted outwards to those oblivious to the struggles of such for some...rendered me moved.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Ruth, I thank you for sharing your thoughts. I too am moved by those who die without a soul to mourn their passing. All good wishes to you dear poet.

Chris

[Ruth]

And to you Chris, stay well and safe :)

[Chris Shaw]

Lovely Ruth to see an image of you. You take care too in these challenging times:)