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死后的生命

By Laura Gilpin
Sep 30, 2023 1 min read

劳拉·克拉夫顿·吉尔平是一位护士、诗人，也是医院改革的倡导者。1976年，她凭借诗集《宇宙的魔法》（The Hocus-Pocus of the Universe）荣获美国诗人学院颁发的沃尔特·惠特曼奖。她是致力于推进以患者为中心的医疗服务的组织“行星树”（Planetree）的创始成员之一。以下节选自她那首震撼人心的诗作《死后的生命》（Life After Death）。

死后世界 IV

我知道的事情：
活着的人如何继续生活
以及死者如何继续与他们一起生活。

所以，在森林里
即使是枯树也会投下阴影。
树叶一片片飘落。
树枝在风中折断。
树皮缓缓剥落。
树干裂开了
雨水从缝隙中渗进来。
树干掉落在地上
它上面覆盖着苔藓。

春天的时候，兔子们会找到它。
并在里面筑巢
并育有子女
它们的孩子将安全存活。
在枯树里面

这样，自然界就不会有任何浪费。
或者坠入爱河。

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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!
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