Stephen’s blog

Dear Newsletter Readers,

I hope this edition of our newsletter finds you well.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have an opportunity to do any cooking last weekend, so no recipes or pictures of food for you this week.  I think this is a good enough reason to try to get back to writing a bit of poetry.  This week’s poem is about death, something that eventually happens to us all.  This poem is about someone that has come to the end of his life and as he is getting ready to pass away he is experiencing how he feels as he is approaching death and he is somewhat reflecting back on the life he has lived.  He is surrounded by his family in hospital.

Until next week, have a good weekend and continue to keep safe. 

I know I am surrounded by warmth, love and respect.  

I’m aware I’m laid in an unfamiliar bed.

I can feel a pillow under my back and behind my head.

I cannot move freely because of tiredness, wires and tubes.

No matter how hard I try, I cannot open my eyes.   

I feel familiar hands of all sizes squeezing mine and I know you are there.

I would never have gotten this far without all your love and care.

 

The sound of the waves breaking between my ears.

Then suddenly an eerie silence appears.

My silent tears become heavier than my weightless fears.  

I’m left with an emptiness I cannot describe.

I squeeze a hand to confirm I’m still alive.

I’m struggling to catch my breath.

I’ve finally been relieved of my fears of death.

 

I think I’ve had a good life.

A loving wife and the children I have helped to bring into this world.

Three boys and two girls.

I’ve lived long enough to see them grow and have families of their own.

I now feel very cold but without pain.

With curtains drawn I see parts of my life in pictures from birth to death.

I am close to breathing my last breath.