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the dead, alas, must sleep
For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not
any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory
of them is forgotten.—Ecclesiastes 9:5 KJV
the dead, alas, they play no golden harps,
nor care for solemn dirge or joyful song.
their appetites for comforts, once headstrong,
no anchorage finds in a silent corpse.
the dead, alas, roam no celestial sky,
like angels keeping vigil o'er the quick;
they wait not in the dark to light a wick
for loved ones seeking solace from on high.
the dead, alas, care not for food and drink,
or human comforts, heretofore enjoyed
by kings and princes gormandised and cloyed,
nor do they wait at purgatory brink.
the dead, alas, stalemated in their graves,
know nothing of the future, past, or now;
perchance you think they dream to you, somehow,
you make yourselves, of evil spirits, slaves.
the dead, alas, must sleep the sleep of death
until that Glorious Resurrection Morn,
when Michael shall His saints with crowns adorn,
whose mortal shall become immortal breath.
© Copyright 2023 June 20
by Clyve A. Bowen♫
any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory
of them is forgotten.—Ecclesiastes 9:5 KJV
the dead, alas, they play no golden harps,
nor care for solemn dirge or joyful song.
their appetites for comforts, once headstrong,
no anchorage finds in a silent corpse.
the dead, alas, roam no celestial sky,
like angels keeping vigil o'er the quick;
they wait not in the dark to light a wick
for loved ones seeking solace from on high.
the dead, alas, care not for food and drink,
or human comforts, heretofore enjoyed
by kings and princes gormandised and cloyed,
nor do they wait at purgatory brink.
the dead, alas, stalemated in their graves,
know nothing of the future, past, or now;
perchance you think they dream to you, somehow,
you make yourselves, of evil spirits, slaves.
the dead, alas, must sleep the sleep of death
until that Glorious Resurrection Morn,
when Michael shall His saints with crowns adorn,
whose mortal shall become immortal breath.
© Copyright 2023 June 20
by Clyve A. Bowen♫
Published 21st Jun 2023
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
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21st Jun 2023 4:18pm
You refer to the dead as if they are still aware
and i like this.
Bringing forth much about when they were not dead
and what they must now long for, pine for.......need
is but a corporeal nature and nothing to do with death. Just my feel, here, Brother
and i like this.
Bringing forth much about when they were not dead
and what they must now long for, pine for.......need
is but a corporeal nature and nothing to do with death. Just my feel, here, Brother
22nd Jun 2023 3:35am
I read you well, my Brother Tallen. However, I do not intentionally refer to the dead as if they were still aware. Another friend of mine, outside of DU, suggests, incorrectly, that I am using personification. Hardly personification, though, since it is the living contemplating the state of the dead, on Biblical terms, and not the dead operatively choosing to act in any way. The living is affirming the things the dead cannot do:
they play no golden harps
they roam no celestial sky
they care not for food and drink
etc
This inaction is not based on choice, but on lack of life, lack of awareness, lack of ability. When the Bible says that the dead know nothing (Eccl. 9:5), is that KNOWLEDGE, or is it the absence of knowledge?
Sincerely
cab
they play no golden harps
they roam no celestial sky
they care not for food and drink
etc
This inaction is not based on choice, but on lack of life, lack of awareness, lack of ability. When the Bible says that the dead know nothing (Eccl. 9:5), is that KNOWLEDGE, or is it the absence of knowledge?
Sincerely
cab
21st Jun 2023 7:50pm
So, no Heaven or whatever for the human beings who chose to be cremated...........Ashes to ashes.......
Hi, Viking
Thanks for chiming in. The poem elaborates on the Bible quote (Ecclesiastes 9:5). It does not pretend to cover every aspect of life and death and the hereafter. I am aware that many individuals all over the world cherish the notion that their departed loved ones are looking down on them from heaven and even protecting them from harm. According to the Word of God, this is not so; the dead know nothing.
You can read more about the resurrection of the just (first resurrection) and the resurrection of the unjust (second resurrection) here: https://www.gotquestions.org/resurrection-first-second.html
Sincerely
cab
Thanks for chiming in. The poem elaborates on the Bible quote (Ecclesiastes 9:5). It does not pretend to cover every aspect of life and death and the hereafter. I am aware that many individuals all over the world cherish the notion that their departed loved ones are looking down on them from heaven and even protecting them from harm. According to the Word of God, this is not so; the dead know nothing.
You can read more about the resurrection of the just (first resurrection) and the resurrection of the unjust (second resurrection) here: https://www.gotquestions.org/resurrection-first-second.html
Sincerely
cab
