Epitaph

There is an order to mortality

ruled by etiquette and good behavior.

We write of our lives

knowing we must one day leave.

We write of our death

not knowing what lies ahead.

From the too-deep earth

to the drying-up river,

we are all only a few words away

from an epitaph.

Reviews

[Raef C. Boylan]

"There is an order to mortality
ruled by etiquette and good behavior." - put me in mind of the whole human species, queued up on a conveyor belt, politely waiting their turn to die. Also, the way in which we're expected not to mention it in so many circles...that destroys articulation on the subject, so that whenever we do try to approach death as a conversational topic, or even through art like you have here, we are out of practise and feel adrift. I don't think the social ideal can be achieved until every member has accepted the facts of their own inevitable end; life fulfillment seems an impossibility without this acceptance.
Yet, due to the rules of 'good behaviour', my statement is regarded as 'morbid'.

A really good write, Emily. It's so hard to capture mortality in language, and yet you've managed an essence of this in just a few lines. To echo W.K.K: "deceptively simple".
Poignant, inspiring and intriguing.

Thanks for posting this.

[Gandré]

yes, this is my style of a thought. Very nice.

[PianoandPage]

....so be careful what you say.

lol.

this is a great poem. it says a lot with so little. i especially like the concept of how we have form and etiquette about life and death. the strange little traditions that serve to bring sobriety and purpose to mysteries we live with every day.

great write!

[Solst Rapture]

Indeed we are! It is something we should all keep in mind. A concise and compact delivery here.

[Angel Bird]

Your words are indeed so true.

Yes especially we writers are just flowing words in an, to our knowledge, unlimited universe ...

Deep and thought provoking great write!

[AK]

And my headstone shall read...

"Ashes to ashes - dust to dust
Glad it was him - and not one of us!"

I don't have a death wish but frankly, I've seen enough...

[Robert Luna]

We are but humans
traveling specs in a universe
we will never fully understand

We are but water
that is polluted with chaos
spreading disease which there is no cure

We are nothing more than that which we leave behind
Words
Thoughts
Actions
Memories

We are what we are

[Hedra Helix]

did you originally write this, or part, as a review;)? awesome awesome you. its so solid and self contained it reminds me of the best chocolate you find in a box, awesome and overpowering for a few bites, taste lingering in the mouth.

bad a*s;)

[Alice]

Emily, this is one of the wisest poems I've ever read. It's just perfect in its somehow complex simplicity. Very wry and terrifyingly true.

[Stephen Ownby]

I like it. Its short and controlled, giving off the same restrained feeling that you are talking about.