Tuesday, September 20, 2011

I Will Love You For Always



I am standing upon the seashore.  A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean.  She is an object of beauty and strength.  I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.

Then someone at my side says:  "There, she is gone!"

"Gone where?"

Gone from my sight.  That is all.  She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear the load of living freight to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me, not in her.  And just at the moment when someone at my side says:  "There, she is gone!"  There are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout:  "Here she comes!"

And that is dying.

~Henry Van Dyke


16 comments:

Nina said...

What a beautiful poem and way to think of dying. I'm sorry for you and your family. Love you very much!

amy boland said...

Sending prayers and hugs your way sweet girl...
amy b.

Anonymous said...

So beautiful! I needed this today. It was perfect.

LuLu Kellogg said...

Sending love and prayers your way. What a beautiful poem.

Love,
LuLu~*xoxo

kL said...

that is such a beautiful way to put it into words.

Robin Thomas said...

That is breathtaking. I am not sure whom you have lost but I will be thinking of you dear friend.

Hug.

FILIGREE MOON said...

Thinking of you, Alisa. Wishing you peace. ~ Angela

Cheryl Carey Bass said...

Perfect post. So sorry for you and your family. Hugs.

Dorthe said...

Dear Alisa, warm thoughts, and blessings,to you.
Hugs,Dorthe

kandeland said...

Sending prayers your way....xo

Debe said...

Something has happened in your life. I hope it is something bearable. Eventually. Wish I could give you a hug...

Maija said...

Alisa, that poem sustained me as my mom was dying....It brings tears to my eyes remembering. One of my girlfriends created a beautiful canvas using that poem and a photo of my mom as a child.
I hope you are ok. oxox

Margaret said...

beautiful Alisa, a very special post Mx

Anonymous said...

Alisa, You expressed your sadness so beautifully with this verse.

Hugs and blessings to you...
Diane

Oh! Bama said...

A beautiful expression of how to view death. I had it engraved on my husband's memorial stone. It comforts me when I visit the cemetery. I am sorry for your loss.

Cassandra said...

I am so so sorry for your loss! I must say this is the most well written touching post on the subject I have seen. Well wishes.