Monday, June 29, 2009

The Dash Poem



The Dash Poem
by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end

He noted that first came the date of her birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years

For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not how much we own;
The cars, the house, the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard.
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?
©1996 Linda Ellis

6 comments:

  1. Ah, the poem~ What great reminder for the days to come~!

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  2. so you like poetry? Have you written any of your own? I find writing quite therapeutic,

    nite nite :)

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  3. To Those I loved and Those who Loved Me

    When I am gone, release me, let me go,
    I have so many things to see and do.
    You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears;
    Be happy for these precious years.

    I gave to you my love, you can only guess,
    How much you gave to me in happiness
    I thank you for the love you each have shown,
    But now it's time I traveled on alone.

    "So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must;
    It's only for a while that we must part,
    So bless the memories within your heart.

    I won't be far away, for life goes on;
    So if you need me, call and I will come,
    Though you can't see me or touch me, I'll be near,
    And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear
    All of my love around you soft and clear.

    And then, when you must come this way alone,
    I'll greet you with a smile and say "welcome home".

    You keep well and have a nice day, Lee.

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  4. Wilson: Yeap fond memory of Cameron Camp. Wonder if FES is going to send us the eulogy we wrote the other day?

    Jojo: How r u feeling? thanks for reading. i do write poem, but none near enough good to publish. Yeap, writing is theraputic to me too. Thanks for ur motivation. All the best=)

    Uncle Lee: Gee.thanks Uncle Lee..ur eulogy- poem gave me such great comfort at this particular stressful moment..Peace be with you always.

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  5. i'm actually waiting for the eulogy too... i'm really hoping that i can get it back... =)

    n jia yiing... i didn't know u write~!!! can i see them? can i? can i? =) =)

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