Dying Poem

I wrote this when my father passed away after being ill for a long time. It reflects all the emotions I went through as I sat at his bedside and held his hand as he passed away.

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Arianna, thank you for sharing your story with me. Stories like yours are why I decided to publish this poem. I am not a highly "religious" person, although I have my own personal...

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It's Okay To Go

Published by Family Friend Poems April 2012 with permission of the Author.

You were sick and tired and we all knew
that God would soon come to take you.
You fought so hard, so very long,
but through the pain, you stayed strong.

We all knew there would come a day
when God would come to carry you away.
It doesn't make it easier to say goodbye,
and I try so hard not to cry.

I can't help but feel defeated,
or even maybe a little cheated.
But how very selfish would I be
to hope and pray you could stay with me.

So as you laid there, tubes running to and fro,
I had to tell you, "It's okay to go."
Say "hi" to loved ones waiting on the other side.
I know some day you'll be there when I take that ride.

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Has this poem touched you? Share your story!

by Angie Jennings
4 years ago

Lori,
I am sure you have had many responses to your poem, I want you to know that it did bring solace to a friend of mine and it gave him permission to go. It has touched so many people facing death of a loved one and it helps give peace of mind. Thank you for your creativity and opening your heart to your personal journey.

by Lori Daoust, Minnesota Poet
4 years ago

Angie I am so sorry for the loss of your dear friend. Thank you for letting me know how my poem touched you and your friends life. The stories I hear about how it is helping people to let go so they can pass in peace mean so much to me. I cry for them and for their loved ones. I have struggled with finding my purpose so when I hear these stories it makes me feel like I have finally found my purpose in life.

by Arianna
5 years ago

This poem is so meaningful, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing it. I had lost my great-grandfather very suddenly last year from a heart attack. No one expected it to happen, as he was always very healthy and active. A month before, he was out in his yard, planting his favorite tomatoes, and then for him to suddenly be in the ICU, it truly took its toll on me and my family. Even now, it still pains me to think that I can no longer see him, but this poem, this poem has touched my heart, and while it can't wash away the pain I feel, it lets me have peace of mind knowing that he is in a better place. I also must thank you for all your replies. Scrolling down, I can easily see what kind of person you are. You have answered everybody that had left you a story, even years after publishing this poem. You are obviously a very kind-hearted person, and I thank you so, so very much for everything you have done. I wish you a very happy life.

by Lori Daoust, Minnesota Poet
5 years ago

Arianna, thank you for sharing your story with me. Stories like yours are why I decided to publish this poem. I am not a highly "religious" person, although I have my own personal relationship with God. I do feel it was His will for me to share my poem because originally it was only supposed to go into my father's casket with him as a final goodbye. I am very thankful that God put it in my heart to share it. I am sorry for your loss and you are so right that it doesn't wash away the pain. I miss my Dad every day still, but knowing how our story has helped others cope makes me feel a bit closer to him. I reply to each shared story because I feel a connection through our shared pain with every one of you and I want you all to know that you are also helping me cope with my grief with your stories.
Lori

by Roger Beaupre
6 years ago

My wife is currently dying from complications due to kidney failure. I'm struggling with letting her go. She's tired and scared, and I want her to know it's okay to go. Am I selfish to want her to fight and stay? I do not know. I'm scared to read this to her for I know I must let her go.

by Lori Daoust, Minnesota Poet
5 years ago

Roger, it isn't selfish. It is a natural part of grieving. When there are good days, even if they are outnumbered by the bad ones, we hold out hope that we can have just a little more time. When they get to the point that they don't have good days anymore it gets easier to let them go. It gets harder to ask them to stay. Thank you for sharing your story.
Lori

by Denise
6 years ago

I found your poem by chance. My husband is drying, and when I read it the first time I could not stop the tears from rolling down my face. He was having difficulty letting go, and i decided to read this poem to him. He was struck by it so much that he asked me to read it to him every day. I do that, and thanks for making our journey a bit easier. Death is never easy. Although I am expecting it, it does not get any easier. I see his struggle each day, and it pains me knowing there's nothing I can do to stop his pain. You poem is helping us cope.

by Lori Daoust, Minnesota Poet
5 years ago

Denise, thank you so much for sharing your story with me. It took me quite a while to decide to publish my poem. It was just supposed to go in my father's casket as my final goodbye to him, but my sisters and Mom talked me into displaying it at his funeral. It took another year before I realized that other people could use my words to help them through a very hard time. You are right that knowing doesn't make it any easier. I am so sorry for what you have been going through.
Lori

by Jez
8 years ago

Thank you - you have put into words what we could not. My 6 year old son read this and turned around and said "this is what happened to Grandma isn't it daddy?"

by Lori Daoust, Minnesota Poet
8 years ago

Thank you for sharing your story. My daughter was almost 6 when my father passed and I was also 5 months pregnant with my son and felt that it was so unfair to them. It is always harder for them to understand so it makes me smile to know that my poem has helped your little one cope and understand.

by Christy-lynn, Brooklyn, NY
8 years ago

As I sit here in hospice with my aunt, I am so touched by this poem. It makes me feel at ease at letting her go. She was a great part of my family....she raised me and now as an adult she has raised my kids as well...for many years she has been sick holding on to life..and it hurts to see her this way...with this poem I can let her go in peace so that she no longer suffers..thank you

by Lori Daoust, Minnesota Poet
8 years ago

Thank you for sharing your story. It shows true love when we do what we can to release them from holding on to us. When it hurts more to see them struggling, to hang on to the thought of them leaving we, have to give them to God.

by Teresa Royce
9 years ago

I recently lost my husband after a hard fought battle with cancer to try to stay with me. I knew he was fighting just for me and was relieved the day he told me he would do NO MORE CHEMO. I thanked him for thinking of himself and we discussed the rest of my life without him. Even in his last hours when he could no longer speak I could see his love for me in his eyes and his struggle to leave me. The hurt I feel now is nothing compared to the decision that he made. I brought him home to our fur babies and held his hand till the end. This poem is a wonderful expression of what I feel.

by Lori Daoust, Minnesota Poet
9 years ago

Thank you Teresa. It means a lot to know my poem has touched your heart and brought you some comfort. Saying goodbye to a loved one is very hard but telling that loved one that it is ok to stop fighting and that it is ok to leave us is excruciatingly painful. You are an amazing woman and wife and your selflessness is beautiful. God bless you.

by Karen Buckley
11 years ago

My father a great man a proud man sadly passed away 3rd march after only being sick for 23 days. I just didn't know how to deal with it but reading the poems has helped me a lot thank you xxx

by Lori Daoust, Minnesota Poet
9 years ago

You are very welcome. I know losing a parent is very hard and we are never prepared for such a loss. I miss him still.