21 Comments

David, tears cloud my vision as I read your poem. Such a friend I had in Bob, a companion for some some seventy years. Then he was gone as the wind disperses a early morning fog. I long for him. He used to come over to the house and wait for me to waken. Never a peep from him 'til I roused' as his presence quietly announced him. I hope that you are right that life is invitational and we will meet again some time somewhere down the road.

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This must surely be about John O’ Donohue who speaks to me as surely as if he were here, and who appears in my dreams as well.

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Yes indeed Linda, I have just edited and added the original dedication ... DW

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"I’ll give you your death if you give me mine."

The power in this line is mighty. Although you write from a personal place, this conjures for me all the beloveds I too have lost. Gratitude, David, always.

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What a beautifully written verse. I felt a flush of recognition in the words, a tint of sadness, the brevity of our being amid our delayed recognition as life gently passes, on the foundation of our eternal awareness. If we ought understand in the moment. Yet imperfection highlights our fragility. A wonderful and humbling reminder.

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Dear goodness… this is the same excruciating wrestle I have in me… how you cut so quickly to the heart of it.. I know you write this to your dear John, I recognise it, but that threshold is so fierce in its presence, I feel that awful leaving, that being left again in my own chest…

Thank you 🙏🏻😔

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The stanza which begins 'and you were a good friend to me weren't you?' is at once very particular and also more universal. I have begun to say that I have no wish to add more years to my life now and yet life presumes upon me to do exactly that until such a time. I want to walk again with my lost family members most especially my mother whose short life I had to piece together in understanding so long after the 17 years we had together.

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I felt John's presence touching me, touching us all, almost from the beginning, and the live exuberance of your eternal friendship through your beautiful words, David. Thank you.

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Trespasses

Is a word,

Our now invisible friend once said,

Which has the weight of shadow

To hold the layers of truth.

Nested between

The heart and the light,

It grows in the thin crack

Between life and death

Because,

In French,

Trépasser

Means

To depart this life.

And our invisible companion chuckles

Today of all days

La fête des trépassés

All Souls’ Day

We are forgiven

Our trespasses

Saved by the eternal love

Which is forgiveness.

Together we smile

As we remember that

Love is, indeed, stronger than death.

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This beautiful writing touched me so deeply in so many ways for you, David, for me, and for everyone blessed to have such a life-changing relationship. There are different kinds of friendships! This kind is a real Blessing! Thank you.

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Very poignant, thoughts of loved ones now passed on & an incentive to continue to try and be as allowing and kind to all my encounters, acquaintances, relationships x

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Gorgeous - Thank you for these beautiful lines. I heard these whispers again, even slightly louder, as we moved into 'All Souls Day". The candles were lit and the invitations sent and All arrived on time. The dreams have been amazing!

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"Friendship abides through

mutual and repeated forgiveness"

so much heart in this when i consider the gifts of my deepest friendships. thank you for this poem honoring your deep friendship with John.

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So beautiful, David. Death touches us in so many ways, literally and figuratively. My mother died in March. In a strange and beautiful way she seems more present in my life now than when she was alive. I know that sense of meeting someone and 'knowing' I had met them before. I have recently lost contact with someone I love. And right now, I do not know how to forgive his going. Thank you.

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David, I love this, I think our love ones come to us in our dreams. I do believe we will see again. Thank you….

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Courage is the beginning and worthy to be a compass.

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Wow , that was quite beautiful

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