most people, I think,
want to be remembered
want to be remembered
with fondness . .
. when they pass
but alas:
many mortals, that I know
fall, considerably short of a wholehearted,
unfeigned, true good conduct “kudo”
so . . .
either they are eternal optimists,
for I have heard it said:
you're only
remembered, with affection,
after you are dead
or . . .
they are apprehensive souls, who fear
to take flight and look back,
with eyes wide open,
at their misguided, sorry plight –
too blinded by the darkness to admit
the joyful light: when
. . .
the world is full of metaphors
in doors and walls and floors
and windows –
that look out upon the mystic green,
enduring sea and heavenly constant sky
one only has to take it in
to question . . . who am I . . .
“The eyes are the window to your soul” – William
Shakespeare
notes: the prompt
from Poetry Jam this week is “Identity”.
In putting together some thoughts to get ideas percolating
on the prompt “Identity” from Poetry Jam, I did a bit of looking around on the
Internet regarding the most common response when people were asked how they
would like to be remembered – in effect:
how they want their identity to be perceived. The vast number (by far the majority) of responses
indicated that most people want to be remembered as a good person: kind, gentle, happy (smiled and laughed) interested (interesting and creative), loving (loved my family and friends and had love in
my heart), worked hard, did my best.
I laughed when I shared this with my husband. Because given some of the conduct I have
witnessed over the course of my life (lying, cheating – don’t get me started –
ha!) there has got to be some kind of wild disconnect between how people go
about living their lives and how they would like to be regarded once they are
dead. Think about it, if most of
humankind would like to remembered as a good person and set about working to
achieve that goal – what a wonderful world it would be.
photos: Pavilion
Window (looking out on weathered rocks, jade green water, mystical plants and
architecture that integrates Taoist Yin and Yang features that emphasize that harmony
lies in balance at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden in
Vancouver) – W. Bourke
In the Petals – W. Bourke
© 2014 Wendy Bourke
So true about wanting to be remembered in a positive way by others.....but also true that some people don't live their lives in a way that would be remembered in a positive way. Or maybe they are blind to the impression they make. We can only hope that 'we' are different and live our lives in a way that we will be remembered, after we pass, with true affection by those who are left behind. Your poem has me thinking, Wendy!
ReplyDeleteIf people want to be remembered in a certain way, but don't act that "certain way", there does appear to be a short-circuit somewhere. I don't think we always see ourselves in the same light others see us. So it is a good wonder...how will I be remembered?
ReplyDeleteI wonder whether people believe that they have all the time in the world to change their ways and become the person they want others to remember. And I agree with you that if we all acted as if death was around the corner, the world would be a better place.
ReplyDeletesmiles....really cool...I like the internal rhyme and rhythm of the piece and you address some important things...I think all wanted to be remembered in a good light but then we live our life and we can not deny who we are, our actions and attitudes will show us for who we are....
ReplyDeleteVery true.
ReplyDeleteRight words. apt message....
"the mystic green,
ReplyDeleteenduring sea and heavenly constant sky
one only has to take it in
to question . . . who am I . . ." my favorite portion of this poem Wendy...some phrases are simply exquisite...
I have asked myself "how will I be remembered?"...I wonder especially how my kids will remember me, as I think, they matter most to me and I wonder how I have been as a mother, from their perspective. I hope my influence on them has been more positive than negative, ha, and I guess that's my hope with anyone else who will have known me.
ReplyDeletethe joyful light.. the power of the light in the soul that shines to all. Great message of hope
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the poem and enjoyed your notes after even more. There IS a disconnect - maybe humans cant really handle facing the gap between who we wish we were and how we actually behave........you raise a thought-provoking point!!
ReplyDeleteYou have a very good point here and thinking about it made me smile. I think though that for the most part I do remember the best about people from my past--whether they be dead or still living. But perhaps I am the ultimate optimist.
ReplyDeletewe have to discover our selves who we are.
ReplyDeleteIdentity
This is so good.. how we're seen in the eyes of other. One of the most well-known poem with a similar sentiment..(but much more harsh) comes from Hávamal.
ReplyDeleteCattle die,
kinsmen die
you yourself die;
I know one thing
which never dies:
the judgment of a dead man's life
It's one of my favorite quotes ever.... but it's hard to live by.
Makes me think of that disconnect with how we see ourselves as opposed to how others see us...
ReplyDeleteWendy,
ReplyDeleteA very realistic poem which has so many true elements. Sometimes it can be hard to remember someone in much of a good light...Few people 'tick all the boxes,' in life.. Perception can be so important, both for the living or dead!!
Eileen
V interesting: that people want to be seen as good. I'm glad to know that "good" is cool, at least once you've passed away.
ReplyDeleteYes, many times we're "too blinded by the darkness." Profound ideas expressed here.
the joyful light
Yes, interesting how many people care more for what opinion people have of them after they die and not how they are perceived when they are alive...
ReplyDelete