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J Michael Kearney
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Dying Lessons
by J Michael Kearney
Saturday, December 29, 2001


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Are you ready to go?
Would you give up all you know
and all you'll ever know?


We all die alone.
So, we should all wake to the thought,
"Today is a good day to die
but a better day to live,
for that is all there is."


When my Dad was dying
I stood at the foot of his bed
and said out loud,
"Everything I am and all I'll ever be, I owe to you."
His eyes fluttered and opened.
I moved to his side.
He grabbed my arm and said,
"I could never hold a candle to you."


What a terrible lie!
Even now, it hurts my eyes to see it.
Here was the best man I'd ever known,
forged in discipline, cloaked in humility
and me the runt of the litter.


I felt so helpless
and so very far from goodness.
"I have to do this on my own." He'd said to us.


If there was fear,
he showed none.
If there was horror,
he never let on.


To the last, his focus was outward.
So the man who taught me how to live
also taught me how to die.


I just hope that I remember it all
when my time comes...
I wish that I could thank him,
but some lessons come too late
for things like that.


JMKearney.com


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Reviewed by Eugene Williams 10/25/2009
It says alot when we are reminded of those that have touched upon a moment never to be lost thank you
Reviewed by Carol Surber 9/27/2008
A parents unconditional love..even in death. Maybe he and my mom are in heaven reading our writings-and smiling.
Such a tender poem, CarolHawks
Reviewed by Karen Vanderlaan 11/12/2006
wow! very touching and such a tribute to your father threaded with very good advice as well
Reviewed by ~ Holly Harbridge (Reader) 10/21/2006
A very moving piece of work; filled with emotion. Hope to see more of your poetry, you too have a gift!
Reviewed by Susan Sonnen 4/9/2006
this is so poignant. I just ran across your site this morning and am enjoying your works so very much!

Susan
Reviewed by sarah playle 12/11/2005
sad subject to write on, but very well expressed.
Reviewed by L. Figgins 2/17/2005
You could have written this about my father, J.M. I gave him a homemade card for his B-day one year and I inscribed it, 'Love can be measured by it's sacrifice'...because that's all he did for all 8 of us. He even held two jobs at one point. I have an awful feeling that when their generation is only a memory, the salt of this earth will go with them...you have thanked him, and I'm sure he knows...
Reviewed by Jim Dunlap 1/4/2004
Yes, they do. I suspect you might like to read my sonnet onn death here on Authors' Den, A Portal To Glory". I don't believe that death will divide us forever, and I doubt you do either. This is a strong write.
Reviewed by OnepoetGem * 7/15/2003
Yes this is a very moving poetic piece of work J. Made me think a bit. G
Reviewed by nevine Al Seidi 6/15/2003
Mmm, God blesses you with longevity to teach us eough lessons like this. A piece for of human dignity, Mike!
Reviewed by Gracie McKeever 3/12/2003
Excellent piece! Very gripping and heartfelt.
Reviewed by Nellie Feng 10/28/2002
A very Excellent Write from the heart, Michael!
Reviewed by J. Conrad Guest 10/25/2002
Fewer things in life worse than regret, but you should have little of that, Michael. It seems you and your dad had a mutual respect, and that's something few fathers and sons share. If your dad said he was proud of you, believe him; he wouldn't say it if wasn't so.
Reviewed by Retardo Culo (Reader) 9/22/2002
you have been visited by the MaD cLiCkeR. In order to improve your chances for the radio show at AD. Quantity matters!! hehehehe.
Reviewed by A. Hack (Reader) 9/19/2002
Nice read, JM.
Quite frankly, I'm not ready
to go yet. You are right, though.
We do die alone. It's a scary thought.
Good piece.

krisette
Reviewed by Letitia Blount 9/14/2002
Outstanding and so filled with emotion. I too hope I can be like your father and you when my time comes. Thank you so much for sharing.
Poe
Reviewed by Lawrance Lux 8/20/2002
Very good, but with the sadness We all know.
lgl
Reviewed by Judy Brown 7/17/2002
I am not a poetry fan, but this was very evocative and moving. I was certainly touched by it. Thank you.
Reviewed by m j hollingshead 7/2/2002
well done......... ;0)
Reviewed by Theresa Koch 5/5/2002
Both of my parents have graduated from earth on to the next level in existence but I know they are still here in spirit~I have often felt similar to your words and I am sure your father is proud and loves you very much from heaven.
Reviewed by E. Lucas-Taylor 5/2/2002
Absolutely beautiful. ~E
Reviewed by Kate Clifford 4/14/2002
Excellent write. More should be shared with people about how to die with as much joy as it is to recieve new life. You may not realize it but by these words that you have shared I see what your father saw and he told you no lies.
Reviewed by Jeanette Foresta 3/28/2002
Very touching. Geat to have a supportive relationship with your father.
Reviewed by Sara Russell 3/16/2002
A very well-chosen title, also the poem is touching without being over-sentimental, it has a great balance of emotion and philosophy. It must have been extremely difficult to collect your emotions to write this. - Sara R.
Reviewed by Masarat Daud (Reader) 3/16/2002
Excellent n very touching...
Reviewed by fionnagh oaks 3/12/2002
very moving and powerfully written. Speaks to the heart of you.
Reviewed by Hanley Harding 3/5/2002
I strongly disagree with the "Everything I am, and all I'll ever be, I owe to you". While your father's influence was obviously strong (and, just as obviously, good!), it is only the kernel of what you are as a man and as a human being. As my late wife lay dying, our children knew that they had recieved a good measure of what they were from her... and it was special. And this was a special piece. Hanley
Reviewed by Darlene Zagata 3/5/2002
Excellent! Very well done.
Reviewed by Darlene Zagata 3/2/2002
Joseph, This hits home again and again. It is so important to die rightly. Most of my life I thought the sole purpose of life is to Live Well, but now I have a sign on my desk, "Die Well" - of course you know utlimately they mean the same thing. I sure do not want to go out whining but singing. Tecumseh gave good advice in that regard: that a brave should have his death song prepared, and not moan and groan about what could have been....
Reviewed by Dens Dreamweaver (Reader) 3/2/2002
He knows hun. IN fact am sure he is smiling down at you with each step in life you take.. I am so glad to see you here!!!!! And wanted to thank you for finding me so I could find you.. (if that makes sense)

love and light
dreamweaver
Reviewed by Patrick Talty 2/23/2002
Hello J. Michael Kearney,
When I found that WBM was in the process of closing down I immediately came to AuthorsDen in the hope that you would be listed there as an author. I was delighted to find your name in the alphabetical list. I went to your "Den" and swiftly put it into my Favourites for future reference. This poem was the first piece of your work I looked at on this site and I was very touched by it.

You have created a piece of free verse that meets my criteria for that form: appropriate tone created by relevant images and precision in the selection of words to construct them; a style compatible with the sad theme and rhythms that resonate with readers and make them nod their heads as if to say, "Yes! I can relate to that!"
Those factors I've just mentioned bring to my mind a quotation from the grest R.W.Emerson's *Journals* (1943): *Poetry makes its own pertinence, and a single stanza outweighs a book of prose.*
I think that Emerson's observation certainly applies to the pertinence that flows from your fine example of free verse and its ability to articulate the deep feelings that arose from the experience it so poignantly describes.
Now that I have access to all your work on this site I look forward to re-visiting for as many times as my rather busy schedule will permit.
Best regards,
Patrick Talty
Reviewed by Dallas Franklin 2/18/2002
A very moving poem..evokes emotion and tenderness and makes one introspective. I think as parents, they teach their children to believe in themselves {or at least they should} and to encourage them..I feel this is what your Dad was doing during his last talk with you..Think of it in reverse and you were the Dad dying and your son said those same words to you..Would you not speak of how wonderful your son is and how proud you are of his life's choices..I think so.*S*SS Enjoyed this poem..thanks!~~~~~Dallas

http://sellwritingonline.com
Reviewed by Peter Adotey Addo 1/29/2002
A very wonderful and thought provoking piece
Reviewed by Karen Gallo-Dunn 1/19/2002
Michael,
Touching, True, Sensitive, Real, Been There & Understand - You have an Author's Hand and a Poet's Heart. Hat's off to You
I give you a 10/10 STAR Review.
Karen Dunn
Reviewed by fare good 1/19/2002
The heart that is pure shows no fear. The paradise that awaits him he awaits with love. The strength of wisdom which he lived upon this earth. He bared great fruits his mission was complete. The bravery from a angel which his legacy was love. Look at you a fireman who lives the same legacy which he represents. He has gained his wings such a great soul. You put your life on the line. For those without thinking of self. The legacy of a angel you are very blessed.
Reviewed by John Martin 1/1/2002
Exremely well written and well thought out!In fact, I enjoy and agree with all of your works. It's one thing to be able to think clearly, and another to be able to put those thoughts in words. I congratulate you at being extremely proficient at both.
Reviewed by Victoria Murray 12/30/2001
Very heartfelt and touching. Nicely done!
Victoria
Reviewed by Janet Caldwell (author) 12/29/2001
I think that he knows, he told you in the statement "I could never hold a candle to you." He knew you maybe better than you know yourself. He had faith in you and obviously much love. Feel blessed my friend. My parents never saw me for who I am and they are both deceased. Your Dad sounds like a beautiful soul. Janet

Reviewed by Sandie Angel 12/29/2001
A moving piece! Much heartfelt!

Sandie Angel :o)


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