of death, what is there to fear
is it all that remains unknown
is it in the pain and suffering
is it its cold, calculating nature
for me it is in leaving work
unfinished, words unwritten,
words unspoken, promises
un-kept, goals un-reached
————————————————————
Like on Facebook — Follow on Twitter
Posted on May 26, 2015, in Poetry and tagged DoubleU, Fear of Death, John White, Poetry. Bookmark the permalink. 52 Comments.
A really interesting piece! I hope that you're keeping well and still writing! 😊
So inspiring. Great words! A really top poem! I like!
Doors are still closed. Loved it! There is comfort in music. Specially when you want to retire from
Eerily enticing!
I cant find you in my reader i have to go check on your post thru my stat
Took a while to fully comprehend your full meaning here. Hurry back, this space has turned into a vo
I love this!! So true :) I have missed your writing, my "reader" doesn't show me the people I follow
Ah yes, the silence With all its traces.. :)
DoubleU = W 
good one… well death is the ultimate truth which is going to happen at some point of time… nicely written… liked it… 🙂
Thank you, Ashish! 🙂
It is the unknown , the uncertainty ,uncontrollable
Without power there isn’t a source
It’s the final frontier,into the great unknown
It’s the biggest step there is and we have to take it alone…scary. Thanks, Sheldon!
NIce post
Thank you! It’s great to meet you!
Very true. Perfectly worded.
Thank you so much! 🙂
I agree…these are the same fears of I have of death…to die before I reach my potential, before experiencing all I can, before seeing my child grow into a woman, would truly suck. Beautifully written piece ☺
Thank you, Julia! We’re all experiencing the human condition and therefore have many fears in common.
Brrrr… reading this sends frosty shivers down my spine. The fear of death, a topic that concerns us all. I envy those, who are NOT afraid of death and have the bravery to look into death’s eye and laugh. Wow!!
John, your poem is as excellent as always and it reminded me.. it reminded me of a certain piece of poetry I wrote a few months back, when I woke up one day with a sudden feeling in my gut and a voice in my head singing: “Turn, turn, turn around,
there is someone behind you.”[…]
I think you’ve read it already, however I’d like to send shivers down your spine as well with said piece on the fear of death: https://prospermind.wordpress.com/2015/01/24/there-is-someone-behind-you/
May you be brave and dare to turn around! 😉
If I get that feeling i’ll likely run rather than turn around to face whatever it is. I’m chicken. 🙂 I’ll read your poem shortly. Thanks!
Beautiful, contemplative feelings 🙂
Thank you so much, Kelly! 🙂
Oh, this is nice, John! But then, most of yours are… 😊.
And how very simply yet sublimely have you brought out the fears of most of us in leaving an unfinished piece of work when it’s our time.
Thank you, Kunal! I want to write the end-all-be-all, Pulitzer Prize piece just before I check out. Than I can die in peace. 🙂
Rooting for you, John, go for it!
Thanks! 🙂
death is but in the fear..?
I’m not sure I know what you mean exactly but…Living in fear is probably very close to death. It’s great to meet you!
in the most proximity to death, are we not, in the fear of it. else life would just pass by in some breath if we never ponder upon death. Likewise! It’s good to be here.
We do need to give it thought but those thoughts can become crippling fear. That’s what we must avoid. 🙂
Spoken like a true Romantic
I’ve been known to act like a hard-ass but I am an old softy romantic at heart. 🙂 Thank you!
Lovely description of real things to be feared about in life
.
really adorable feelings:)
Thank you! 🙂 Fear of death is very real and a fear we’ll all come face to face with unfortunately. It’s a pleasure to meet you!
🙂 Same here John
I like your poetry, it is thought provoking.
Thank you! You’ve made my day! 🙂
Simply put, and the last two lines had a clench in my stomach. It is so much really the fear of regrets, isn’t it? Rather then the imagined destination no matter what it may mean. Well done.
Thank you, Stephanie! Whatever the fear it can sure do a lot of damage to us and it’s difficult to let go of fear. It’s great to meet you!
I want to Thank You for following my blog. Please excuse me for being so tardy in doing this. Everyday life some times get the better of us. I’ve just stared reading but I do like what I’ve read so far of yours. This particular post is so kin to a recent experience which left me with the realization that it’s not death itself that would scare me, but what I have left behind, unfinished or not dealt with. Your poem hits it right on the nose. One more aspect to look at…why? What is the reason for your death. Can you leave this earth with the feeling of being okay with why you died. I think this is as important as tying up the loose ends, don’t you? I really liked this post. I provokes thought into a subject very few wish to talk about but one that needs to be addressed before that time is upon them. Thank you again. Sandy
Thank you, Sandy! That curtain will fall on all of us. A life well lived is great but, like you said, leaving loose ends and unfinished business would give it an even greater sting. It’s great to meet you!
Makes you think all the while so simply written. Very intriguing piece 😉👏💯
Thank you so much! 🙂
I agree, nicely done. much more to do, I better get busy! Michelle
Thanks! We should all get busy, Michelle. 🙂
Thank you for the like
You’re welcome and thank you for dropping by and for your comment. It’s great to meet you!
It sometimes amazes me that so many can spend all their energy preparing for retirement, which might last a decade or 2 and yet give little to no thought to eternity. I could be wrong but I think one of the reasons for that is the lack of trust in anything religious in our present culture. Another reason is the belief that we all came from monkeys, there is no God, and everything that now exists is some gigantic cosmic accident. Where the material, energy, design, and laws came from is a mystery that most are willing to accept. I for one cannot accept an accident for such an expanse of stars and almost inconceivable complexity at the atomic level. And a long time doesn’t do it either. After saying all that, the idea that everything came from nothing with no one behind it sounds absolutely ridiculous to me. The real problem is accountability. Who wants to answer for the life that we lived after we die? Answer, no one. However, the greatest joy in my life has been to realize that the God who judges with absolutely perfect standards and no compromise, also loves beyond all imagination. A choice is demanded and dismissing the Bible means a lack of faith and trust, apart from which no one will see the Lord. Sorry to be heavy but this is a very heavy subject and one that should not be taken lightly. Forever is just too long a time. Lord bless to all.
Not to enter into a debate here but I feel an accountability to those around me – all my loved ones. I’m accountable for how I treat them and care for them. In that regard, I am solely accountable for my life and all I do in it.
So then the only question that remains to be answered is do we love God? I don’t want to debate either, the subject is far too important. Would love to get together again.
A topic like this one could require hours of time to discuss or debate. It’s certainly a worthwhile topic but there’s limited space here.
I think the same way. Good piece of writing ☺
Thank you! 🙂
I fear death because I don’t want to leave my family behind…alone. Death is bliss actually. But for the loved ones whom we left behind…it is a curse!
A thoughtful poem!
The thought of leaving family and loved ones behind is depressing. I agree.
So concise and beautiful…this made my day. (:
So today I will work and complete my assignments, not leaving goals unreached (;
Thank you, Alexia. 🙂
Beautifully written. The one true fact of life is death
Thank you! The cycle of life is certainly imminent. It’s great to meet you!
Nice to meet you too