I’d like to change my tombstone up,
Scratch off items that no longer apply
I never gave much thought to it before
I once welcomed the day I would die
Words etched in stone, I avoided considering
I cared not about the how or why
I want an altered, accurate truth to prevail
Not cemented, false lies
Here lies Elizabeth,
She lived and died with careless fury
She lived a life of self-destruction
And died prematurely
Drink and drugs inside her, among broken glass
A victim of a tragic story
Suicide by overdose,
Plagued by deaths vainglory
Considering what I want now,
Upon my stone grave
Words, once accurate, have faded into obscurity
I now think about my life, and death, in a new way
Here lies Elizabeth
Surrounded by the light she knew while she lived
She spread joy and love
To a world in desperate need of it
She sought to exist on a selfless plane
To other’s needs she did commit
She succeeded at her endeavors
Holding strong to God’s offered relationship
With grace she caressed her time on earth
With an unbound spirit she was free
She walked among the swaying wild flowers
And upon the raging sea
Mountains were as stepping stones
And she could rise above the trees
She knew the joy of living
Despite no guarantees
Fear could not contain her heart
Anger was simply an idiosyncrasy
We know not the arrival or method of our demise
We should not choose our own passing
But we can aspire to live in a way
Which brings glory everlasting
What will be on your tombstone
When your earthly body fades to gray?
Will your tombstone reflect light
Or will darkness and sorrow, cement convey?
I would love to take credit for this inspired idea. However, I give credit to a leader in a treatment program I was in. He gave a lecture about scratching off items we don’t want on our tombstones. I was strongly moved. My unrealized tombstone was pretty ugly. I’m on the side of “living” now. I’m experiencing what life has to offer-clear-minded. And, God willing, a happier display will be etched in the stone marker assigned my earthly body. Changing up the tombstone baby!
September 17, 2013
journeyinrhyme 
Comments on: "On My Tombstone…" (17)
Inspiring words!!! This reminds me that everyday I am sober, I can choose to rewrite my tombstone, my story, my mission. I would love to hit “delete” on the first draft of my life story, but if I did that, my final draft of my story would never be read.
Amen to that! The fact that we have several drafts throughout life is a blessing. Improvements by revision- good stuff! I’m excited for your tomorrows! I think we need to bust out our “tombstone bedazzlers”!
I am pleased for you that is reads differently!
Well done on your rise from the ashes!
Mine would simply read:
Here lies Chris,
He is with you every day.
He can hear you, so be bloody careful Of everything you say!
Thank you. LOL… The “from beyond the grave” haunting type huh? Then it would be true that… (Say in a whisper out loud) “I see live people…” hee hee
I find it fun that a word like “bloody” can make things sound so much more entertaining!
Haha! Definitely! See “G for Ghost’s Lesson”!!
Bloody does had that little extra doesn’t it! It’s a very gentle threat! Lol
Good way to describe it! “Bloody” makes a threat gentle, for me, because any sting is removed by the instant smile (bordering on belly laugh) it provokes!
I think always sounds best in a yorkshire accent! Lol
Minty python used it beautifully in The Meaning of Life! Lol
loved this, simply beautifully creative and something different, fascinating out of the ordinary ideas that’s for sure
Thanks Angel. Knowing what we “don’t” want is very important- and extremely motivating!! Appreciate the feedback!
Really powerful. The concept of rewriting your epitaph, even if it is not your own, is applied brilliantly here. Excellent poem.
Thank you. It is an interesting concept. Gotta rewrite while we can!
Beautiful, powerful and exceptionally written; the themes of this poem are incredibly motivational and efficaciously inspire change. Very nicely done ma’am.
I’m so grateful you received this poem with such passion. Thank you for your feedback!
Your words always inspire me to think and think some more. I love that about your poetry.
Thanks- I can say the same about you! Your abstract and sometimes “mathematical” works get my brain twisting delightfully!!!
Sent from my iPad
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Thanks 🙂
Reblogged this on journeyinrhyme and commented:
Reviving some of my recovery basics. I need to read these more regularly!