I'm looking for a piece of poetry or similar to read at a funeral - for a relatively young man. Not sure what I'm looking for really, but would appreciate any suggestions if you know of something that might be appropriate.
thank you
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I'm looking for a piece of poetry or similar to read at a funeral - for a relatively young man. Not sure what I'm looking for really, but would appreciate any suggestions if you know of something that might be appropriate.
thank you
W H Auden. - 2 songs for Hedli Anderson. The first one that starts Stop the clocks, cut off the telephone...
Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam - You Know How Little Time We Have.
Did he have a favourite musician? Maybe you can look through his music to find some fitting words.
Khalil Gibran's The Prophet - Joy and Sorrow
This was read at DS1's funeral. It may not be what you're looking for. It helped us.:
Then a woman said, "Speak to us of Joy and Sorrow."
And he answered:
Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.
And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.
And how else can it be?
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.
Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter's oven?
And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives?
When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.
Some of you say, "Joy is greater than sorrow," and others say, "Nay, sorrow is the greater."
But I say unto you, they are inseparable.
Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.
Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.
Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.
When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall.
Wow that was so moving. I'm glad I got to read it as I'm not sure I would have taken it all in if I'd heard it. Sometimes my brain stops to ponder what I have heard which means I miss a bit!:
Thank you for sharing
Gone Too Soon by Mary Yarnall
This was a life that had hardly begun
No time to find your place in the sun
No time to do all you could have done
But we loved you enough for a lifetime.
No time to enjoy the world and its wealth
No time to take life down from the shelf
No time to sing the song of yourself
Though you had enough love for a lifetime.
Those who live long endure sadness and tears
But you'll never suffer the sorrowing years
No betrayal, no anger, no hatred, no fears
Just love , only love , in your lifetime
thank you very much for your suggestions