At this particular time I have no one
Particular person to grieve for, though there must
Be many, many unknown ones going to dust
Slowly, not remembered for what they have done
Or left undone. For these, then, I will grieve
Being impartial, unable to deceive.
How they lived, or died, is quite unknown,
And, by that fact gives my grief purity—
An important person quite apart from me
Or one obscure who drifted down alone.
Both or all I remember, have a place.
For these I never encountered face to face.
Sentiment will creep in. I cast it out
Wishing to give these classical repose,
No epitaph, no poppy and no rose
From me, and certainly no wish to learn about
The way they lived or died. In earth or fire
They are gone. Simply because they were human, I admire.
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"and certainly no wish to learn about"
While I admire the sentiment, this line bothers me. "certainly" seems to imply a specific wish not to know. As if who they were is less important than what they were. I'd really like to keep my individuality in death and if I can't be provided that, let me be forgotten. -
There is something like fresh air about this poem...it is hard to place...but there it is all the same.
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Goodly writ!
Very nicely done Elizabeth. -
I think this poem grew stronger with each successive stanza. Her conclusion, that one's worth need not be assessed, speaks to the universality of the human experience. She, and we, should grieve for each life that is lost.
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Salute !
How many beyond numbering have come and gone
unremembered and unknown, each having made their mark and hopefully made the world in which we live a better place. -
For these, then, I will grieve
Being impartial, unable to deceive.
These few words alone make this poem and the feelings beyond so very special.
Grieving for an 'unknown' person the sentiments must be real, straight from the heart and untainted. Knowing nothing about the deceased other than they were 'human' (line 18) is enough to realise they are special, worth a thought, and, as the poet states her admiration.
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I wrote this on another site, but want to share it here as well.
Got into this weird conversation today about any four people I would select as my pallbearers. I said I wouldn't care because I plan to be cremated; others selected celebs, political leaders, etc. Reading this poem made me think how, on some level, our parting should be remembered by SOMEONE. The saddest wakes are the ones where few attend; the saddest yet are those where no tear has been shed. The last line of Jenning's poem is so touching, "They are gone. Simply because they were human, I admire." September 11 is soon approaching, and I know there will be much said about it, much observance. I will keep this poem in mind, but will not embrace the cold detachment as in stanza three. Instead, I will mourn, "because they were human, I admire."
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