Never

By Frances Macaulay Forde

Tue, 27 May 2025
  • 273 reads
4 comments
 

What can you say when a dear friend passes away?

That they were good and kind and loved my many?

That they were respected and stood by their beliefs

and are sadly mourned by the ones who weep?

 

Though we realise this must come to us all

Inevitably ~ how hard to accept when death

is so final ~ when someone you’ve talked to and

done things for has suddenly stopped replying...

 

The face that grew so familiar will never again

express thoughts. The eyes – so wise, though

getting faded now ~ are closed forever…

Never.... never... never and forever...

 

Never to see... or feel... or touch again…

Never to walk through fields or hear the rain…

Never to watch the seasons change each year…

They have gone forever and just left us here!

 

Frances Macaulay Forde © 1968

 

Certificate 18
Poem
My 1968 Notebook written in Africa
Biography
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Catching oneself going to phone up to share the family news …

But it should attract us to consider that we can find the 'door'/offer of a life to come after our own inevitable death. We can 'read all about it!'

Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Frances Macaula... on

I do so appreciate you taking the time to read my words, Rhiannanw written when I was a grief stricken 16 year-old, experiencing the first loss of someone very close to me.  I am going through my old notebook and posting pieces written long before my degree.  Thank you for your comments.

Soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/search?q=FrancesMF

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Frances, I could identify with this poem. Lost so many friends and family since 2000. It makes you realize how much care you should put into the people that are still around to love and share time with.

Thank you for this perfect poem.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Frances Macaula... on

Thank you, Jenny, We've all gone though it and it never gets easier. 

Stay safe and well. 

Soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/search?q=FrancesMF