Poetry Friday : August 19, 2016.
This evening, I collected words that family, friends, colleagues, and former students shared on my friend’s Facebook page and wrote a brief eulogy. I felted comforted as I read and gathered their words and as I put them into the lines of this found poem.
Dear beautiful friend
It’s so unfair
Your time came too soon
You left the earth today
Growing up
In a small neighborhood
We had imagination, sprinklers
Bicycles, tricycles, picnics,
… and YOU
You NEVER left anyone out
You made people smile
You inspired us
A beautiful soul
An incredible woman
The bravest and strongest
With kindness unmeasurable
Everyone’s friend
With a shoulder to cry on
And laughter to share
You lived your life with integrity
Touched us in deep lasting ways
You were unconditional
Shaping lives of countless children
A most favorite teacher
Your legacy will continue
We said goodbye
Hearts are in pieces
We celebrate your life!
Let’s all go over to Dori Reads to share and read poetry.
Thank you Dori for hosting Poetry Friday this week.
A touching tribute, Alice. Creatively composed and poignantly communicated. Sorry for your loss.
You’ve done a lovely job of honoring this friend. My heart goes out to you.
I’m so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful, moving poem for your friend! I hope you share it with your friend’s family as I’m sure they would treasure it.
I don’t know this person, and yet your words move me to tears. Every life that ends has touched so many other lives! Condolences.
What a lovely way of memorializing your friend, Alice. I like the idea of this kind of found poem. I too am sorry for your loss.
What a loving idea to collect these sweet words about your friend. It made a beautiful poem of her life. I’m sorry for your loss.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Alice. Thank goodness for words, giving us voice to grieve, remember, and celebrate. Your friend sounds wonderful and beloved.
Thank you, Tabatha. Yes, I am thankful for the solace of words; they are the healing power of the tongue.