Comment from TinyTeena

Excellent

Very well said. I agree - when someone dies you should celebrate his/her life,not the fact that she has died. By returning to places that this person loved, to things in nature that she adored, you will be recalling the beauty that she saw and loved. Then thoughts of her will always be wonderful - not thoughts of black and mournful songs. Beautiful!

 Comment Written 15-Mar-2009

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reply by the author on 15-Mar-2009

I so appreciate your warm and understanding comments - thank you! Brooke :-)

Comment from Domino

Excellent

Hi, Brooke.
This is a coincidence. I just got back from spending the weekend with my daughter, and this subject came up. I told her exactly the same, and told her where to scatter me - in my faourite park's river. It overlooks my ex-local pub in Carshalton where I grew up. It wasn't at all morbid and we had a good laugh about it. On the other hand, I could have em scattered over this damned keyboard so as I could still irritate people. ;-).
Lovely write, that obviously I empathised with so much.
Love, Ray xx

 Comment Written 15-Mar-2009

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reply by the author on 15-Mar-2009

Ray, you have me shaking with laughter - overlooking the pub, I love it! I'm so glad you and your daughter have such a great relationship. Thanks, Brooke

Comment from patwannabe

Excellent

Beautiful. My sentiments exactly. I love it when someone can celebrate the death of a loved one. Your rhyming pattern is the kind I like. I'll never get used to free verse. Poems must rhyme and I appreciate that you used the same meter all the way through. So many poems change meters several times. It really breaks the flow. Good job. patwannabe

 Comment Written 15-Mar-2009

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reply by the author on 15-Mar-2009

I prefer rhyme too though I've read some gorgeous free verse - I'm just not very good at it! :-) thanks so much, Brooke :-)

Comment from Bananafish308

Excellent

Brooke, well done abcb quatrains. Excellent imagery and flow to this poem. I enjoyed the theme and sentiments. Good job. Bill

 Comment Written 15-Mar-2009

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reply by the author on 15-Mar-2009

Bill, thanks so much, Brooke :-)

Comment from Mightierthanthesword

Excellent

Gorgeous poem. Makes a fine point but I hope you're not planning anything soon!
I get the feeling that you are speaking on a particular tree and not just a species. One you have had a good experience with?

Your poetry is a wonder.

 Comment Written 15-Mar-2009

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reply by the author on 15-Mar-2009

Oli, thank you - yes, there were two dogwood trees that grew in my yard as a child, but I imagine my children would go instead to the famous dogwood grove in Valley Forge Park, three miles from where I live and grew up. You are so thoughtful - and now I need to go read your newest one!! Brooke :-)

Comment from words

Excellent

Wonderful read for a Sunday morning.

You closing stanza says it all:
When I have breathed that final breath,
don't death commemorate.
Return instead to places where
my life you celebrate.

Good work!

 Comment Written 15-Mar-2009

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reply by the author on 15-Mar-2009

Thank you for your thoughtful review, Brooke

Comment from chaswriter

Excellent

Brooke - A touching request to scatter your ashes around your favorite tree. I have told my wife to scatter my ashes at the mall. That way I am sure she will visit me twice a week. Enjoyed your poem. Charlie

 Comment Written 15-Mar-2009

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reply by the author on 15-Mar-2009

Charlie!!!! You better watch out or she'll scatter you in the mall's dumpster!! LOL Brooke

Comment from Sasha

Excellent

This is a very touching poem. I love the message and applaud your ability to put into words such a beautiful sentiment. My mother passed away in 2005. Her last wish was that I cremate her and save her ashes. When I asked her why, she said, "When you pass away I want you to mix your ashes with mine so we can spend eternity together". She asked that I have someone spread the ashes around a very tall, old tree so we could rest together in peace. Thank you for sharing this lovely poem. It holds a special place in my heart.

 Comment Written 15-Mar-2009

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reply by the author on 15-Mar-2009

I love your mother's request - it sounds like you two reconciled in the end, which shows your loving heart. Thank you, Brooke

Comment from jshep

Excellent

Beautiful imagery as to where you would like remains to reunite with the earth. I agree, not a box, buried six feet under, but the remnants of the shell to scatter in the winds of time. Loved the places you chose and the sentiments of last wishes being fulfilled in celebration. Flow and rhyme perfect. Joyce

 Comment Written 15-Mar-2009

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reply by the author on 15-Mar-2009

Joyce, thank you for your most thoughtful comments! Brooke

Comment from Adri7enne

Excellent

Lovely poetry. You reminded me how much I love a dogwood tree and that I should plant one this year. Then I wondered why you should be thinking of final thoughts on a beautiful sunny day such as this. No doubt one day, far far in the future, your life will be celebrated by reading your beautiful poetry. Meanwhile, blessings, Brooke.

 Comment Written 15-Mar-2009

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reply by the author on 15-Mar-2009

Hi - thanks for your thoughtful comments - since the comments are positive, could you just clarify why you gave a 4? Where would you like to see revision? Brooke

reply by Adri7enne on 15-Mar-2009

Hi Brooke, I was more surprised than you were by the four.. I fully intended to give you a 5 and I have revised it. I must have made a mistake as I entered it. Thanks for pointing it out. Let me know that it's changed, okay?

reply by the author on 15-Mar-2009

yes, it is changed - thanks - I think the machines here are on the fritz - that has happened to me several times in the past week, which is why I always ask if the comments don't match the rating. thanks for taking the time to fix it :-) brooke