edithbertrand.com
.
.
Poems from the heart
-
Parting of life
Contents
The parting - As my spirit leaves the mortal shroud
Farewell to a child - Farewell the child we never knew
In memoriam - The wind comes whispering through the trees
Death - He comes to us in different guise
The farewell - Farewell the one that is no more
For whom the bells toll - The bells they toll for everyone
Journey’s end - At seventy years and ten
The parting
As my spirit leaves the mortal shroud
to travel yonder sphere,
I leave my love and gratitude
to you who was so near.
Although my eyes and mouth are still
and the flesh is growing cold,
our feelings are united,
embraced in spirit's hold.
Your love, your care and tenderness
relieved my heavy task.
You understood it was my choice,
there was no need to ask.
Life's school is out, at least for now,
one day I must return,
my parting is but for a while,
there is much more to learn.
I'll guide your spirit towards the light
while you're still on the earth,
so take my hand and come with me,
and meet your spiritual worth.
In memory of Gerda
August 1992
Farewell to a child
Farewell the child we never knew,
the pain too much to bear,
you taught us love and happiness
although you were not there.
For nine long months we dreamt of you,
the emptiness was gone,
it did not matter what you were,
a daughter or a son.
It was not to be, oh broken heart,
is there a God above?
The one that always heals all wounds,
where's his almighty love?
Retreat you poor and lonely soul
and listen to His voice,
the lesson learned is yours alone,
it's you that made the choice.
Forget all selfishness and pride,
look with spiritual eyes,
the spirit who would have been your child,
it knows of no good-byes.
Once you rise up, when life is done
you'll meet and will rejoice,
together you will understand
the wisdom of God's voice.
September 1992
In memoriam
The wind comes whispering through the trees,
it softly calls your name,
I lift my head, but you are gone
and life is not the same.
Your body is not far away,
your name engraved in gold,
your lips are frozen in a smile,
your hands are deadly cold.
I want to claw the earth away
and bring you back to life,
please God, perform this miracle,
I beg, return my wife.
Our happiness was so sublime,
no-one could understand,
like walking through a fairy-tale,
two lovers hand in hand.
We lived in perfect harmony,
no tears, no pain, no sorrow,
each day for us a feast of life,
who cared about tomorrow?
Death came for you when it was dark
and we were both asleep,
there was no time to say goodbye,
but time to grieve and weep.
The flowers that adorn your grave
have also but one life,
they die with you, it is God’s will.
Farewell my dearest wife.
October 1992
Death
He comes to us in different guise,
one never can be sure,
his entrance often suddenly,
impossible to cure.
It can be morning, noon or night,
in summer, spring or fall,
there is no way he will pass you by
for Death comes to us all.
Most see him as an enemy,
some as a healing friend,
relieving pain and suffering
he comes with soothing hand.
It is the only moment in your life
of which you can be certain,
but never know what way and when
he comes to drop the curtain.
The few that realise his worth
wait eager for his call,
they know that life is but a school,
a lesson to us all.
So when you hear his gentle knock
while he softly calls your name,
open up your heart, invite him in,
return from whence you came.
He is the oldest friend you've got
at the end of every life,
his coming means deliverance
so make the sacrifice.
Then rise with him up to "your" God
whoever He may be,
so when he's standing at your side
let go of life, be free.
March 1995
The farewell
Farewell the one that is no more,
we're gathered here today
to speak some words, to shed some tears
and help him on his way.
Our eyes stare vacant into space
awaiting your descent,
a clod of earth, a mumbled prayer,
farewell, we loved you friend.
The sound and laughter of your voice
still echoes in our soul,
what cruel fate those left behind,
how heavy is their toll.
But you are gone, the spirit free
in heavenly ascend,
the earthy shackles are no more,
you've left both foe and friend.
When do we learn we never die,
the body just a shell,
a spirit's temporary home
while drinking from life's well.
And then one day the well runs dry,
you know your time is up,
farewell the loved ones left behind,
you throw away your cup.
Rise up and see how you have fared
in but another life,
look at the score when you add up
the good times and the strife.
Then be prepared, descend again,
a child upon the earth,
another life, another task
towards your spiritual worth.
Let's help this spirit on its way,
abandon our grief,
let's send him all our love and joy
so that his tears are brief.
His body will return to dust,
it's just an empty shell,
the spirit will return one day
to gather round the well.
Adieu my friend and au revoir,
one day we'll meet again,
until that day we'll wait for you,
until that day "Amen."
In memory of Herke
May 1995
For whom the bells toll
The bells they toll for everyone
when time has come to pass,
they tell us that we close the books
and end our earthly class.
To see and ponder without fear
upon our path on earth,
what was our task, how did we fare
from the moment of our birth.
Have no regret that things went wrong
while at the school of life,
the lesson is a gathering
of laughter, tears and strife.
So when the Bell is tolling
and calling you by name,
abandon fear and rise up in peace
to the spheres from whence you came.
January 2003
Journey's end
At seventy years and ten
the road comes to an end,
I bid farewell to one and all,
to family and friend.
My journey was a tainted one,
I was deaf to friend and foe,
to listen was a waste of time,
I was always on the go.
Now that I look back on the past
I see the error of my ways
and hope to change my attitude
in the remaining days.
But addicted to a way of life
where fear was the hidden foe,
each day an emotional question mark
what to do and where to go.
But now I feel a sudden change inside,
a kind of different feeling,
as if a brand new energy
gives me spiritual healing.
I hope that on that final day
when they come and drop the curtain,
I learned the lesson or at least a part,
but you never can be certain.
January 2013