In Defiance of `Immortality`
A free verse poem about grief
TW: death, grief, loss of a pet
"Do not stand at my grave and weep" -
Well then, perhaps I shall simply sit with you a while,
And I shall mourn, and write a little.
And if the tears should come, then I will let them.
I know you will not think less of me,
Since dogs neither write poetry, nor care much for it.
Why should I not stand here and weep, if weeping is what I wish to do?
Why should I not visit your resting place, when visiting is all there is to do?
Why should I not howl in anger at the words of some dusty old poet
Who dares to proclaim that you are not here?
You are most certainly here.
Why else would it be so hard for me to come?
Perhaps if I came more often - but no, it would not help.
A mind needs time in which to heal
Before being torn once more to shreds.
My tea is growing cold; the wind has dried my face.
My aching soul is quieter,
And the world more loudly insists that I return.
But before I go, I say to you:
To hell with that damned poem, the one I once thought beautiful
In those days when I had not yet learned
What it truly means to grieve.
So I will sit at your grave and cry;
Because you are here, and you did die.
The poem `Immortality` seems to mostly be attributed to either Clare Harner, or Mary Frye. That poem was the catalyst for this one.
About the Creator
Stephanie Wilson
I am a chronic dreamer and procrastinator.
I've loved writing since childhood and recently I keep finding myself being drawn back to it.
Still trying to figure it all out.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Keep reading
More stories from Stephanie Wilson and writers in Poets and other communities.
Comments (11)
So sad. And yet, not because you are powerful in your grief which gives this a defiance almost. The rawness is undeniable.
Wonderful work. I know first hand how unbearable grief is, and it's great to see some semblance of acceptance in this poem.
Damn. This hit. āA mind needs time in which to heal Before being torn once more to shreds.ā Beautifully tragic and so true. And congrats to you.
Beautiful and sad.
Sadly beautiful. Congrats on the TS.
This poem is the perfect response to anyone who mistakenly says some crap about "it is just a dog." I used to work in with animals and I heard this more times than I would like to admit. But like you wrote: "So I will sit at your grave and cry; Because you are here, and you did die." Pets are as much a valued member of our families as the two-legged members.
This touched me deeply. I lost my 13 year old Golden last year and still think about her every day. As Elizabeth Barrett Browning said, "And if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death." Congrats on a Top Story that brought me to tears.
Lovely!!! Sending love and hugs!!!ā¤ļøā¤ļøš
ā¤ļøā¤ļøšš„¹
Sending hugs and comfort for this one, but the biggest positive is to see you writing
Even if for no other reason that you are not here with me as you were before, with your body now moldering in the ground. Prayers & blessings to you.