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Ζωή μετά τον θάνατο

Η Laura Crafton Gilpin ήταν νοσοκόμα, ποιήτρια και υπέρμαχος της νοσοκομειακής μεταρρύθμισης. Το 1976, της απονεμήθηκε το Βραβείο Walt Whitman από την Ακαδημία Αμερικανών Ποιητών για το ποιητικό της βιβλίο, "The Hocus-Pocus of the Universe". Ήταν ιδρυτικό μέλος του Planetree, ενός οργανισμού αφιερωμένου στην προώθηση της φροντίδας με επίκεντρο τον ασθενή. Ακολουθεί ένα απόσπασμα από το δυνατό ποίημά της, «Η ζωή μετά τον θάνατο».

Ζωή μετά τον θάνατο IV

Αυτά που ξέρω:
πώς οι ζωντανοί συνεχίζουν να ζουν
και πώς οι νεκροί συνεχίζουν να ζουν μαζί τους

Έτσι σε ένα δάσος
ακόμα και ένα νεκρό δέντρο σκιάζει
και τα φύλλα πέφτουν ένα ένα
και τα κλαδιά σπάνε στον αέρα
και ο φλοιός ξεφλουδίζει αργά
και ο κορμός ραγίζει
και η βροχή εισχωρεί μέσα από τις ρωγμές
και ο κορμός πέφτει στο έδαφος
και τα βρύα το σκεπάζουν

και την άνοιξη το βρίσκουν τα κουνέλια
και χτίζουν τη φωλιά τους μέσα
και να έχουν τα μικρά τους
και τα μικρά τους θα ζήσουν με ασφάλεια
μέσα στο νεκρό δέντρο

Για να μην πάει τίποτα χαμένο στη φύση
ή ερωτευμένος.

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COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

17 PAST RESPONSES

User avatar
ric loduha Dec 18, 2023
don't cry
when i die
i'm not leaving
i'm arriving
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Cindy Oct 9, 2023
As I mourn the loss of my child, this poem, this insight, is the only comfort I have experienced. Its druidic perspective resonates in a way nothing else can, for me. Thankyou thankyou.
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Jude Cassel Williams Oct 1, 2023
The poem speaks to me on the occasion of the death of a dear friend and teacher, David Patten who has been characterized as a "mighty oak" who has fallen but as the poem suggests, goes on living thru us who will carry his teachings and example until we too join him in the forest of death and continue his legacy.
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Silvana Oct 1, 2023
Indeed, "nothing is wasted in nature or in love". Nothing is wasted because everything is...Life...Energy...constantly transforming, taking on new forms, reaching other levels of expression...ad infinitum? Meditating on Infinity and Eternity is so relaxing and liberating.
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Judy levine Sep 30, 2023
Kindness, humility and generosity are seeds of a good character planted in our next generation.
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Stan White Sep 30, 2023
As I cruise through life I realize that I'm just occupying this experienced body that was issued to me while Herbert Hoover was president, and trying to use it as intelligently as possible. When it wears out I'll simply shed it. Age? I am timeless as are all beings who exercise their capacity to love.
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Mimi Lozano Sep 30, 2023
Nothing is wasted in both life and the spirit, it just changes form.
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Deanne Sep 30, 2023
Beautiful poetry. Sweet and a blessedly readable length.
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Paula Schneider Sep 30, 2023
This is just remarkable and it comes in a time of mourning for me. I am also reading a lovely book on how the two worlds are intertwined and work together to move humans closer to the Infinite Light, Walking in the Garden of Souls by George Anderson. This information is so real and so true. All of humanity will benefit from it on that great day we all KNOW.
Reply 2 replies: Kay, Zia
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Kay Sep 30, 2023
I read that book too and found it inspiring and so enjoyable to read. In fact, it’s in my re-readable pile!
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Zia Sep 30, 2023
Look into the religion of Islam. You will find all the answers.
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Kristin Pedemonti Sep 30, 2023
Beautifully expressed, indeed our loved ones go on living and nourishing in so many ways.♡
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Laurie Sep 30, 2023
Beautiful.
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Patrick Sep 30, 2023
The “heart” knows what the mind has trouble with…
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Kate Sep 30, 2023
I want that poem read at my memorial service. What a lovely way to look at aging and death!
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Ruth Sep 30, 2023
Indeed, the Universe wastes nothing.
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Nancy Anderson Sep 30, 2023
Beautiful sentiments expressed!