What's for you won't go by you - Eilis Gregory

I feel secure as a person, happy with myself;

even though I know I am dying. Even though I’m dying

lucky in lots of ways- supported, loved. In love with life.

Loving this Autumn, the golds, reds and russets on the trees.

The sounds of leaves rustling with soft voices in the wind.

How nurturing nature is from birth to death and back again.

I love the twilight melody of the sea and the birds early in the morning.

I see poppy fields filled with the faces of all my friends,

family who are dear to me far or near; gone, still here.

I want everyone to be strong, to go on after this wife, this mother is a                                                        

distant spirit. I pretend to be brave, but what is bravery ?

I am resilient and feel an inner calm, an acceptance.

I touch life, caress those I will leave with thoughts and memories

even as my tears reflect the things I will miss - my children growing up, married;

future families. The love I have for people, the love they have for me.

Time waits patiently for me around the corner....

Yet I am here for now and will live my life as best I can

for everyone I hold dear to me. Fields of love opening like flowers.

Yes I know that I am dying, yet even when I can’t sleep

I dream a dream that everything will be okay... and it will,

though not in the ordinary way. My family will survive for them and for me.


I want to be dignified in death, not linger desperately.  I will be Me to the last.

I don't want my family to suffer, I want them to celebrate me .I don't

want to leave them but..... what’s for you won’t ever go by.

I received this beautiful poem today via Poetry Space poet David Morgan and wanted to share it here on this blog as it is so inspiring. Thanks Ellis, thanks David. For us all ...a perfect autumn. Sue xx


Poem  © Eilis Gregory 
Photo © Chris Sims-  Old Wardour