Sunday, April 12, 2009



Death is nothing at all...

Death is nothing at all,
I have only slipped away into the next room.

I am I, and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other, that we still are.

Call me by my old familiar name, speak to me
In the easy way that you always used.

Put no difference in your tone,
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed
At the little jokes we enjoyed together.

Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word
That it always was.
Let it be spoken without effect,
Without the trace of shadow on it.

Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was;
There is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind
Because I am out of sight?

I am waiting for you, for an interval,
Somewhere very near,
Just around the corner.

All is well.



My Grandad died this week. I am trying so very hard to remember that all is well but my heart hurts.



words by Henry Scott Holland & image by frederic.desmots


60 comments:

  1. I'm sorry to hear about the departure of your grandfather. Want to give you a hug.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm sorry; my grandfather died in July 1970 and I still miss him. I seem to mention his name (Big Daddy, I called him) at least once a week. I hope your memories give you comfort, as mine do.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Aw lovely Peony, what sad,sad news for you to share with us.I send you strength and heartfelt hand squeezing.Take care of yourself,petal.
    That next room is close by, I'm sure.

    ReplyDelete
  4. So very sorry to hear about your grandfather Peony. My bestfriends/housemates' grandmother died this week and it's an awful time. All my love to your family. x

    ReplyDelete
  5. so sorry to hear about your grandad....i hope you have lots of memories to cherish of happy times spent together
    take care xx

    ReplyDelete
  6. i'm so sorry for your loss. hugs for you.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am sorry, babe. May he rest, gorgeous and whole.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm so sorry peonies. My grandfather passed a few years ago and I miss him like crazy. You're in my thoughts...

    ReplyDelete
  9. there is a little empty space in my heart since my own grandpa died - and that was 16 years ago. I find comfort in old photos- and memories of time spent with him. My thoughts are with you now.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm sorry to hear that. How awful.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am so sorry for your loss.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm sorry to hear that. My grandad died a coupe of years ago and it's aways a hard thing to come to terms with no matter how old/ill they are. You'll always have your memories :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh, Peonies. I am sorry to hear of your loss. My Grandfather died in February, so I know what you are going through. It's so tough. :(

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm so very sorry to hear about your loss. I send you and your family warmest thoughts.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm so sorry for your loss. Sending thoughts and prayers your way. xoxo.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you...

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am very sorry to hear of your loss. May your grandfather rest peacefully in the deepest slumber and may you find comfort in your warm memories of him. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm so sorry! My thoughts are with you.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh you poor girl. Lots of love and eHugs.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hugs across the pond to you.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I'm so very sorry to hear that. Hugs from New York.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. My grandfather died just a couple of years ago, so I understand your hurt very well. My prayers are with you.

    ReplyDelete
  23. So sorry to hear your awful news. There are no words that are going to make it any less painful. I hope you have many happy, lovely memories to cherish.

    ReplyDelete
  24. My grandpa used to tell me that when you got an unexpected shiver it was because your guardian angel had brushed your soul.
    Now I get unexpected shivers all of the time - and they make me smile.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thinking of you Peonies. x

    ReplyDelete
  26. This poem is so lovely, Peony.

    Big love to you.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I'm so so sorry to hear that. A great big hug from me to you.

    ReplyDelete
  28. My deepest sympathies Peonies. There are no words.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Consolation

    BY ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON

    Though he, that ever kind and true,
    Kept stoutly step by step with you,
    Your whole long, gusty lifetime through,
    Be gone a while before,
    Be now a moment gone before,
    Yet, doubt not, soon the seasons shall restore
    Your friend to you.

    He has but turned the corner — still
    He pushes on with right good will,
    Through mire and marsh, by heugh and hill,
    That self-same arduous way —
    That self-same upland, hopeful way,
    That you and he through many a doubtful day
    Attempted still.

    He is not dead, this friend — not dead,
    But in the path we mortals tread
    Got some few, trifling steps ahead
    And nearer to the end;
    So that you too, once past the bend,
    Shall meet again, as face to face, this friend
    You fancy dead.

    Push gaily on, strong heart! The while
    You travel forward mile by mile,
    He loiters with a backward smile
    Till you can overtake,
    And strains his eyes to search his wake,
    Or whistling, as he sees you through the brake,
    Waits on a stile.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I am very sorry for your loss.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Such a perfect picture and beautiful poem.

    My best to you, sweetie.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I am using this poem in my wedding as a memorial to my grandpa that died last year.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I'm so sorry. My heart goes out to you and your loved ones.

    Thank you for the poem. made me think of my loved ones who are gone as well, and brought a strange sense of comfort.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I'm very sorry for your loss.

    ReplyDelete
  35. i'm so sorry for your loss...

    my favorite grandma died on easter a few years back, so i always think of her around this time...

    sending you lots of love & hugs...
    xox

    ReplyDelete
  36. My heart hurts for you Peonies. Big hugs to you and your family, Sweet Girl.

    ReplyDelete
  37. So Sorry to hear!!!

    You have been given a Kreativ Blog award by me, see my link for more details...

    http://www.kimgray.za.net/2009/04/13/kreative-blogger-award/

    I hope this may keep you busy and your mind on happy memories x

    ReplyDelete
  38. so sorry to hear about your loss - thinking of you!

    ReplyDelete
  39. I'm so sorry to hear about your grandfather :( My dad passed away when I was in high school and I still think about him everyday. It gets easier with time. I'm thinking of you.

    "Perhaps they are not the stars in the sky, but rather openings where our loved ones shine down to let us know they are happy."

    ReplyDelete
  40. I'm so sorry for your loss.

    ReplyDelete
  41. my thoughts are with you. what beautiful words you shared.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Sending you hugs hugs hugs hugs hugs hugs hugs.So sorry to read about your Granda I really am.I hope you are as ok as can be. If there is anything I can do to help. I'm thinking of you.Lots and lots and lots of lovexxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  43. Kittyxxxxxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  44. I'm so sorry to hear about your grandfather. You and your family are in my prayers

    ReplyDelete
  45. oh i'm so, so sorry. he must have adored you. joannaxo

    ReplyDelete
  46. google reader just recommended you and this was the first thing I read. Absolutely beautiful. I'm so sorry for your loss.

    ReplyDelete
  47. I send you strength....and love....and wishes of wonderful things to come....grandpa approved!

    ReplyDelete
  48. I'm so sorry for the sorrow you feel Peonies. Cherish the memories and know you're getting a whole lot of love from out here in the blogosphere. Nothing but time can make this feel better. x

    ReplyDelete
  49. I'm so sorry to hear the news. I've found looking through old albums + photos to be comforting during tough times.

    ReplyDelete
  50. I'm very sorry for your loss :-(.

    Beautiful poem, and so true...

    ReplyDelete
  51. I'm so sorry about your grandfather - hope you are feeling as well as possible.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Dear Peonies, I am so very very sorry for your sad loss. My darling sister was killed in a car accident just 4 weeks ago, and the pain is indescribable. I hope your Boy is proving to be great support (as my own Boy was, and is) and that you feel a little better each day. Emma

    ReplyDelete
  53. I don't normally comment, but I was very sorry to read about your grandfather's passing. Beautiful poem and picture; I appreciate how hard it is to not be sad and I hope that your regret will lead you to happier thoughts of the wonderful things that he brought to your life.

    ReplyDelete
  54. dear peony,
    last monday was the last day for my grandma- i feel numb- i had found your blog researching for my wedding coming fall- now it feels wrong trying on wedding dresses etc. x cat_greece

    ReplyDelete
  55. Funeral Blues

    Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
    Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
    Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
    Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

    Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
    Scribbling on the sky the message He is Dead.
    Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
    Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

    He was my North, my South, my East and West,
    My working week and my Sunday rest,
    My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
    I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.

    The stars are not wanted now; put out every one,
    Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun,
    Pour away the ocean and sweep up the woods;
    For nothing now can ever come to any good.

    W.H. Auden

    I'm so sorry for your loss Peony. My Mom died 10 years ago and the ache truly never goes away.

    ReplyDelete
  56. I am so sorry to hear this, dear Peony. I hope you can find comfort in your memories of him. That is what I have been doing for years, since my own grandfather, whom I loved so very much, passed away. *hugs*

    ReplyDelete

play nice.