Verified answer

You make this subject lose the mortuary pall and take on the excitement of a planned trip to an exotic location- the dream package...

Very sentimental but not in a mushy way, in a very direct, almost matter-of-fact way, which is clever as this poem is about someone who was being very pragmatic about her own death. The style, the words you chose, enhance the character study of the subject matter. One doesn't ususally smile when reading a poem about death but you did it!

Just a few things to suggest:

fond forget-me-not notes

left alongside her treasures in life

responsibilities after her death,

folded three times.

She always had a twisted humour,

'Best...

Unless this is an exact quote, I would edit this down a little-- before death arrives and when the time comes are saying the same thing:

'Best sugar myself before death arrives,

make sure I'm wearing

my Sunday best.

Can't be looking scruffy

when I meet my Creator!'

And the title is PERFECT.

I had an older friend...the wife of a retired Coast Guard Admiral...both friends from church...and Joan had each and every scripture, song, assigned eulogizer...everything mapped out...down to which child would play what song on which instrument. And it was the most amazing memorial I've ever attended. They each read their assigned scriptures from Joan's weathered bible...around and/or in accordance with her along-side scribblin'. And each child later shared, individually...and separately...how very much easier their mom had made this chore for them, because she included them in her own celebration spirit!

And not as counterpoint, but, rather, just as another aside, she was one of the strongest, albeit softest, sweetest, gentlest women I've ever known...hardly a soldier, but a most-accomplished faith-warrior whose own expectations were more exciting for her than fearful! THAT is how I pray I would go!

And for that, this is such sweet revisit to a most pleasant memory space! I love your writing in general...no secret...but this is very special to me! T'anks for sharin'!

It`s said that to die well, you need the courage of a soldier

This sensitive and near-wistful poem takes us off the fear-map

to a place more somehow known.

Plus, it is rhythmic emotionally...

penned with gentle understandings of her understandings -

you have a poem-among-poems, here.

x

10/ 10 for emotional intelligence - a free verse to cherish.

You are so a love, and amaze me so often with your maturity angel.

I'm movin this to the top of my best of you list,,,for now.

She woke to a pillow pressed, he laid

not yet so cold

both beyond old

she sighed, pacing to her vanity

a purpose

"I want them to see

us.

Blush applied, youth not quite denied

recalling a sixty year bond

of what was recalled, fond

she laid next to his form,

hugging, " I love you."

then joined him.