Poetry - To Help You Make it Through

Sometimes all you need
is to reflect in your mind
one poem that says,

"I can make it through."

Maya Angelou

Written words can be more effective than spoken condolences at reaching the part of a person's heart which is grieving. Poems can provide solace and reach a person on a deeper level than with just the spoken word or a simple touch. Writing poetry can be a way of releasing painful stored emotions by trying to make sense of what is often the insensible.

Poetry can help us realize we are not alone or unique in our grief or desolation. "Someone else has lived through these intense emotions, felt what I am feeling and survived. I am not alone in these feelings of grief."

As Poetry Therapist John Fox so eloquently explains:

Poems speak to us when nothing else will. Poetry helps us to feel our lives rather than be numb. Poem making helps us move through grief, life transitions and illness by providing comfort and sustenance on this difficult journey. At other times of loss and grief, your writing may be a necessity. Drawing from a well of feeling within your bones and soul, these words from within can help you cope in your daily life. Like the wind that echoes a rock face smooth, you can record your truth and loss with your words.

Since it's inception, the Journey of Hearts website has utilized the healing effects of poetry to aid in helping visitors to this site through the grieving process. Many of our poems have been reprinted as memorials in newspapers, yearbooks for those who have died, or spoken at funerals or memorial services.

Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep - A Collection of Bereavement Poems

Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep is a helpful resource, an eBook with over 250 poems, quotes, words and readings of comfort for those who have experienced a loss.

I am honored that one of my own poems In Memory of You is included representing a contemporary bereavement poem. You can read In Memory of You in the July Blog Post from this Grief, Loss & Transitions Blog.

Pick up a copy of these carefully selected poems as a way of helping to cope with a loss.

Sources:
Dyer K. Words to Comfort - In Memory of You. July 2007. Grief, Loss & Bereavement Blog.
Dyer K. 911: Poems. Journey of Hearts.
Dyer K. Poems and Words of Inspiration. Journey of Hearts.
Dyer K. Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep. Squidoo.com

Image Source:
Miguel Ugalde. Stockin Around (Rose). Royalty Free Use.

Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep - A Beautiful Video to Help in Coping with Loss

This beautiful video tribute is a very comforting resource for anyone who has experienced a loss. This video can be viewed and used as a way of helping to cope with the loss.

This video features the newer version of Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep, by Lucie Storrs.



More about the Poem, the Song and the Book
To learn more about the poem Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep, the musical version of this classic bereavement poem and about an eBook resource visit the Squidoo Lens Dedicated to Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep.

This lens features several moving musical and video interpretations of Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep. Be advised that before watching these videos, you may need to get Kleenex especially if you have experienced a recent loss.

More about the Poem:
Dyer KA. New eBook of Comfort - Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep. July 2007.
Dyer KA. Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep on Squidoo. July 2007.

Grief, Loss & Comfort Quote - Measuring a Life by the Quality of Moments

Wonderful sentiments about what is really important when you look back at the end of a life.

At the end of life,
it's the laughter,
the tears,
the shared joys and
the shared heartaches
that we remember.

The wealth,
the work,
the trials
and problems
are as nothing.

It's the quality of our days
and the people we share them with
that make all the difference.
Margaret James

May your days be filled with moments that matter.

Remember for more Grief, Loss & Comfort Quotes see our rotating quotes at the bottom of the page, or click on the Quotations or Quotes label.

Dyer KA. Grief, Loss & Comfort Quotes *Check out the bottom of the blog* http://grief-loss-info.blogspot.com/2007/07/new-blog-feature-grief-loss-comfort.html

Photo Source:Bobbi Dombrowski. Friendship. Royalty Free Use.

Life is still worthwhile if you just smile - An Inspirational Song by Josh Groban

I just spent some time creating a webpage that will benefit the Josh Groban Foundation, entitled "Grobanites for Charity - Fans Who Make a Difference in the Lives of Children on Squidoo." Josh Groban is one of my favorite singers of all times. I have been fortunate to see him three times in concert, the last time with my daughters, young Josh Groban fans at ages 7 and 5.

I spent a lot of time of time going through the You Tube footage of Josh singing, and will be developing a tribute to Josh - Healing the Grieving Heart with a collection of songs to soothe the grieving heart.

A Pick Me Up to Make You Smile
Here is a video of Josh Groban his rendition of the classic song "Smile" that will remind you to keep smiling. There are two others on the Squidoo lens. These are all good ones to bookmark as a favorite for those days when you are down.

Watch the video and even if you are feeling a bit blue, you may find yourself saying

...what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile.

Josh's smile and sincerity is really infectious...in a good way.

Song Lyrics

Lyrics by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons.
Music written by Charlie Chaplin, 1936.

Smile though your heart is aching;
Smile even though it's breaking.
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by.
If you smile through your fear and sorrow,
Smile and maybe tomorrow,
You'll see the sun come shining through for you.

Light up your face with gladness,
Hide every trace of sadness.
Although a tear may be ever so near,
That's the time you must keep on trying,
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile,
If you just smile.

That's the time you must keep on trying,
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile.

This is a very good song to listen to on those days when everything seems to be filled with sadness as a way of believing that things will get better.

CarePages - Connect, Share, Care

Journey of Hearts has paired up with CarePages to give our viewers their own place online to create a page to connect, share and care during challenging times. Visit the custom Journey of Hearts CarePages to get started.

What is a CarePage?
A CarePage is a personal, private web page that can be used by family and friends to stay connected and enhance communication when a loved one is facing a long-term illness or at the end of life.

Using a Care Page
Creating a CarePage can be a way of generating support, providing information and updates easily. I think the greatest benefit may be that of holding the loved one in everyone's thoughts so they can do better and get healthy, or feel the love and support of family at the end of life.

You can use our custom Journey of Hearts CarePages to keep family connected when a loved one is facing a challenging illness, or at the end of life.

For More Information

• Journey of Hearts CarePages
  
• Squidoo Lens on CarePages