Friday, January 29, 2010

Day 154 or Stop all the Clocks

A lovely man left this world yesterday to start his new adventure. He shall be greatly missed. It is stunning how such personal loss can seem unfelt by the greater world. Life continues on and there is a great beauty in that but personally it can feel so incongruent that one has trouble catching breath. Fifteen years ago, I lost my brother and I read this beautiful poem by Auden. My FIL attended that funeral and today I post these same words in his honor. Auden expressed these feelings of disconnect far better than I so I shall let this great man's words properly honor another great man.


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 for ever: 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 wood.
For nothing now can ever come to any good.


To my friends, thank you for your prayers. They were felt. I'm not sure when I will swing by next. But I will be back. Until then I say, thank you from my heart.

26 comments:

F said...

Oh dear. Once again, I say I am so sorry. It is completely weird how come no one else feels the same way or stops or ? It sucks, that grief and how acute it feels for you and your family. You go get gas at the gas station and look at other people and wonder why are they happy or what do they have to be pissed at. Don't they realize? Heck, look at me. I am still taking G to school, picking up after M and her chaos and life is marching on. But right now, your life isn't. It hurts. And I am so very sorry that it has. Truly.

Anonymous said...

I'm am so sorry to hear about your loss. What a touching poem. It really does capture the lonliness of grief. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. It's tough and I'll be thinking of you.

ChiaLynn said...

Hugs.

Sonya said...

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family..I lost my mother in law in june and my heart still aches from it. Im only an e-mail away if you need to talk.

BONNIE K said...

I am sorry for your loss.

AudreyO said...

Oh no, I've not been by your blog for about a week. I am so sorry for you loss. Please accept my most heartfelt condolences.

Nikia, May and da kids said...

So sorry for what you will go through for a while. I know you lose people in segments. Pieces. Something will always be there to remind you of his presence.

I wish that you will celebrate his life in the same manner you enjoyed him when he was physically with you all.

My thoughts and sympathy are with you and your family.

May

Traci said...

Thanks for the love. Your thoughts of care mean so much.

chitra said...

Traci,
I am so far away but when I read the first two lines my eyes were brimming with tears. A loss in the family leaves a great vacuum . Hope God gives your family the strength to go through the present situation. Prayers for all of you.
Love
chitra

Dalia (Generation X Mom) said...

So sorry for your loss. What a beautiful poem. Wishing you and your family the very best during this hard time.

Stefanie said...

I echo what everyone else here says...I am very sorry for your loss...

btw - I had heard that poem before...its the one they recited in 4 Weddings & a Funeral. I just never knew the full version - and it's beautiful. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Glad FFF gave me the chance to meet you! I'll keep following
Stefanie
http://pediatricsafety.net

Nancy C said...

Beautiful words, Traci. Praying and thinking of you. So sorry to hear this about this loss.

Melissa B. said...

Sending positive vibes your way...

Lorenza said...

I am so sorry Traci. Lots of beautiful words in this poem but I believe that "love lasts forever" because it is in within us.

Good energy and love to you and your family

Pure energy....

Felicity Grace Terry said...

So sorry to hear your news Traci. A wonderful tribute to FIL. Take as much time as you need, we'll all be here for you. My heartfelt wishes to you and yours.

Unknown said...

That third stanza gets me every time & makes me teary.

My thoughts & prayers are with you and your family. I'm so very sorry for your loss.

Joanna Jenkins said...

So sorry for your loss.

jj

Courtney said...

I found you on MBC. I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. That was a very beautiful poem. I will keep you & your family in my prayers. It was great meeting you! Try & have a great day :)

Andrea said...

I am SO sorry to hear of your loss. That poem brought tears to my eyes. :*( Much love to you and yours at this difficult time. {Hugs}

Together We Save said...

So sorry to hear about you loss. Praying you can find comfort.

Nicole @ WhenDidIBecomeMyMom.com said...

I'm so sorry Traci.

Claudya Martinez said...

Traci, I am so sorry. You and your family are in my thoughts.

chitra said...

Just came to see you traci, just to assure you that we are with you and your family.

thecrunchywife said...

Aww I'm following you from MBC and I'm so sorry to hear about your loss :( That is a wonderful poem.

Unknown said...

Thinking of you!

Pop by if you need some cheering up, i have something for you!

http://peekthruourwindow.blogspot.com/2010/02/some-awarded-bliss.html

Sonya said...

I just wanted to let you know that I was thinking of you and your family and hoping that you are doing ok.