Death Is Nothing At All

By Henry Scott-Holland

Death is nothing at all.
It does not count.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
Nothing has happened.

Everything remains exactly as it was.
I am I, and you are you,
and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged.
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.

Call me by the old familiar name.
Speak of me in the easy way which you always used.
Put no difference into your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.

Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was.
Let it be spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it.

Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was.
There is absolute and unbroken continuity.
What is this death but a negligible accident?

Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you, for an interval,
somewhere very near,
just round the corner.

All is well.
Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost.
One brief moment and all will be as it was before.
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!

 

 


23 thoughts on “Death Is Nothing At All

  1. Again I just stopped by to revive my soul with all the soothing soundtrack from my favorite movies. OMG! Romeo And Juliet??? The Notebook???… You can tell I’m a romance freak. By the way your website just inspired me to go back to my piano lessons; definitely a must before I die. thanks for visiting my blog as well.

  2. Oh my heart. I was just telling another about he death of my father many years ago and then I am here, reading your beautiful words, listening to your exquisite composition. No coincidence Mino! You have lifted my spirits. xx Hugs xx

  3. You had me from the first line -after losing Peyton -life has been different. At 5 years old -what could I hold onto, from saying “good-bye.” Now, I’ve watch many children die from the same, plus other horrible diseases. Each time -I ache! They are not mine -but my heart bleeds a little more, as each leaves this world.

    If only we could freely talk with them, and know that they hear. Whisper words of gentleness they could hold onto. If only…
    http://www.fiddledeedeebooks.wordpress.com

    1. wow – I am touched by your words – They are so powerful and true. You made me filled with tears while reading your words…WOW

      Thank you so much;

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