Short poem for a card I am making for a bereavement - anyone have one?

[IlanaK]

My grandmother is going to die in the next couple of days and I am making a card for my mum. I would like to put a poem in it, but have no idea where to look. It would need to be totally nonreligious, and not really flowery or soppy. I am looking for something really simple.

Any ideas anyone?

I think a message from your heart in a handmade card probably will have a lot more resonance than a poem personally

sorry to hear about your grandmother

When my Grandad died I made a card for my parents and wrote in it my feelings about how I loved Grandad and how wonderful they were being for the whole family. In Grandma's card I wrote about our memories and how glad we were that we'dd named ds after him & that they'd met. I agree with Twig - a poem might seem a bit distant (and it enabled me to say the things I'd never get the opportunity to say out loud)

My sympathy to you and your mum, Ilana. I agree with Twiglett, although I know how hard it can be to express your feelings with/about someone so close. This is neither a poem nor brief, but I find it very moving; maybe you could take an extract from it?

A Glimpse Into The Next Room

'Death is nothing at all..I have simply slipped away into the next room...I am I and you are you....Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. Call me by my old familiar name, speak to me in the easy way which you always used.

Put no difference in your tone; wear no false air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.

Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without any effort, without the ghost of a shadow on it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was; there is absolutely unbroken continuity.

What is death but a negligible accident? Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?

I am but waiting for you for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner. All is well.'

Canon Scott-Holland
1847-1918

or...there are quite a few threads on things like tis in the archive. Type in something like funeral reading or poem.
I found a lot there but cut and pasted so I don't stil have them to hand unfortunately.

Sorry to hear about your grandmother - she's lucky to have such a caring grand daughter

I really like death is nothing at all as posted by Franch, I found it comforting. Sorry to hear aobut your grandmother.

this is my favourite, after my husband died this is the one i kept out to read in bleak moments. also the peom from 'three wedding and a funeral' was good....not sure if any of thes are good for your situation, but maybe they will inspire something. i'm so sorry to hear about your grandmother.

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

If you are looking for a one liner, this really touched my Mum when her Mum died.

To live in hearts, we leave behind, is not to die.

Thanks everyone. I did a search in the archives and found one I liked.

And thanks for the condolances. She is 96 and lived a long and full life. It is her time.

sorry to hear this, my gran died at the beginning of this month and we liked this one for her funeral.

She is Gone
By Anonymous

You can shed tears that she is gone
or you can smile because she has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back
or you can open your eyes and see all she's left.

Your heart can be empty because you can't see her
or you can be full of the love you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her and only that she's gone
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
or you can do what she'd want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

or I also found this one too.....

Let Me Go" Anon

We've known lots of pleasure,
At times endured pain,
We've lived in the sunshine
And walked in the rain.

But now we're separated
And for a time apart,
But I am not alone-
You're forever in my heart.

Death always seems so sudden,
And it is always sure,
But what is oft' forgotten-
It is not without a cure.

[You may wish to remove this next verse]
I'm walking now with someone,
And I know He'll always stay,
I know He's walking with you too,
Giving comfort everyday.

There may be times you miss me,
I sort of hope you do,
But smile when you think of me,
For I'll be waiting for you.

Now there's many things for you to do,
And lots of ways to grow,
So get busy, be happy,and live your life,
Miss me, but let me go.

or this one.....

After Glow

I?d like the memory of me
to be a happy one.
I?d like to leave an after glow
of smiles when life is done.
I?d like to leave an echo
whispering softly down the ways,
Of happy times and laughing times
and bright and sunny days.
I?d like the tears of those who grieve,
to dry before the sun
of happy memories
that I leave when life is done.

or this one ....

A light from the family is gone
A voice we loved is stilled
A place is vacant in the home
Which never can be filled

We have to mourn the loss of one
We would?ve loved to keep
But God who surely loved her best
Has finally made her sleep