The True Weight of a Man’s Soul

The True Weight of a Man’s Soul

 

The weight of a man’s soul

is never

determined by birth, nor by

grace, or by

gender, or volume, or girth ..

Nor either

by chance, or the sum of its

mass, that

which so effectively made up

the whole

of the vessel it once sailed in ..

But rather,

the amount and the measure

of both the

kindness and love that it dealt

and did share ..

With those it encountered

for each of

those moments that together

comprised the

entire physical life of its host

here on earth,

where it both sheltered and

harboured ..

That is, until its final release

and eventual

departure, being invariably

exhaled on the

last breath of those dying

and though

priceless in monetary terms ..

It rarely, 

if ever, exceeds a grand total 

of almost

precisely, twenty-one grams ..

 

 

Reviews

[Ken Simm.]

I understand one scientist once indeed try to weigh the soul by weighing a body the instant before death and the instant after and he got a difference. Now whether that is definative proof I don't know but I think you poem rether deftly describes the concept anyway. Excellent my friend. It is a concept that cannot be defined exactly using the wrong toold for the job, words. Rather actions should be seen as doing this. Unless you are defining it using the correct words as you have.

[Neville]

yes indeed & though never proved, the idea is so very compelling .. 21 grams is nothing is it .. or is it everything .. Neville

[redd Brick Keshner]

Courageous and bold kindness that's a yardstick and a half! And that is what remains, the legacy of kindness that others have received and cherished in memory and in passing forward.Thanks N!

[Neville]

It is I that should be thanking you sir .. Indeed, I do sir and truly ........... Neville read more
It is I that should be thanking you sir .. Indeed, I do sir and truly ........... Neville

[Chris Shaw]

I researched the last line, so interesting the results of the experiments carried out. This is truly an amazing read, both in it's thought process and in fact. You have a poem here Neville which will stay with your readers for a long while. It's a gem.

Chris

[Neville]

Thank you our Chris, you just made an old fella's day & it aint even brekkie time yet.

Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Aw... have a lovely day Neville :)

[Ken e Bujold]

21 grams? thought it might weigh slightly less, but I will take your word for it Neville. Because,

this is a superbly written poem, which only an expert on such matters could compose

ken e

[Neville]

You are indeed far too generous Ken, but of course always appreciated & I thank you for it kindly Ken .. Between just You n Me sir the circa 1907 research by Duncan MacDougal into the weight of the soul weighed in at 21 grams .. but never proved because the experiment was conducted on only a handful of dying individuals .. I would however, wish it were true .. Have a FAB weekend .. Neville

[Gee]

How very true. So many pass leaving memories that die more quickly than the flowers laid at the graveside.
Only mum and 2 close friends, thus far, live large in my heart and mind post death.
A finely written piece Neville.
Hope you are keeping well

[Neville]

I understand where you are coming from Gee & I aint talking MK's neither .. I seriously appreciate the visit mate .. Things could be worse (please keep your eyes peeled) .. In the meantime, give my best to those girls .. Neville