The Death Of A Loved One

THE DEATH OF A LOVED ONE

Subject DEATH

Helen Steiner Rice wrote thousands of poems to comfort others, but when her mother Anna died suddenly, she needed a poem to comfort herself. So she wrote the following poem titled: "When I Must Leave You."

When I must leave you for a little while Please do not grieve and shed wild tears

And hug your sorrow to you through the years, But start out bravely with a gallant smile; And for my sake and in my name Live on and do all things the same. Feed not your loneliness on empty days But fill each waking hour in useful ways, Reach out your hand in comfort and in cheer And I In turn will comfort you and hold you near, And never, never be afraid to die For I am wailing for you in the sky!

[Ronald Pollitt & Virginia Wiltse, Helen Steiner Rice: Ambassador of Sunshine. Grand Rapids, MI: Fleming H. Revell, 1994, p. 1491