Ashes To Ground

-Ashes To Ground-
by Keaton Foster




Sad
The man,
As one,
Alone,
He stands,
There,
Upon
That edge,
Looking out,
Spying it all.
Nothing
Comes into view,
A nothing that he
Is uncomfortable with,
A nothing
He truly fears.
Clarity
Via the duality
Of it all.
New, is his reality
Brought into view
By the end of another’s,
One so loved by him.
Now he’s every bit empty
In a world of wolves,
Exposed,
He stands no chance.
Yet he must persist,
Mourning
In his own way,
In his own time.
In his hands,
Ashes in a tin,
The remains
Of all that he
Was capable of,
All that was required,
Burned,
Pulverized,
Obliterated.
Pounds of flesh
Turned to dust,
Paying respect
To another’s
Last will
And testament.
Final,
The line read:
"Rise me up,
Take me above,
Lift me to the clouds
Or as close as you can.
Find a way,
Bring me nearer to God
Than I myself
Could ever find a way to be.
Once there,
Ask for kindness,
Speak of forgiveness,
Assure Him that I tried
What I could to remain
A lamb in His world
Of impossible creatures.
And then,
When you are done,
When there is nothing more,
Spread my ashes wide,
Leave no trace behind.
Let there be nothing of me
Identifiable to remain."
So, as it was said,
So, as it was requested.
Ashes to ground,
He, a man that believes
In the truth of such words,
Has found a way,
Climbing
To an unimaginable height,
Closer to God he seems.
Of an alternate reality,
He has begun to dream.
He wishes he was back
Down on familiar ground,
In another place and time,
Before here and now.
But wishing for as much,
Pointless.
So, he does as he must,
As requested.
Dereliction of duty
Is no option.
Thus,
All that was meant to do,
Meant to be,
Soars but for a second.
Then just as quick,
It falls all around.
Like him,
There is no chance
For it to be picked up,
Collected as it was,
Not as it has become.
His everything is gone.
His new nothing.
Dust…

Ashes To Ground
Written by Keaton Foster Copyright © 2008-2018

Synopsis

Your poem paints a poignant picture of a man grappling with profound loss and the weight of grief. Here's an analysis of its themes and emotions:

Themes:

Loss and Grief: The poem delves into the experience of loss and grief, portraying the man's profound sadness and sense of emptiness following the death of someone dear to him. His mourning process is a central focus, as he navigates the pain of bidding farewell to a loved one.

Existential Reflection: Through the man's contemplation of death and his own mortality, the poem explores existential themes. The imagery of ashes and the metaphor of dust symbolize the transient nature of life and the inevitability of mortality, prompting the man to reflect on the fleetingness of human existence.

Yearning for Connection: Despite his grief and sense of emptiness, the man longs for connection and spiritual solace. His desire to be lifted closer to God through the scattering of his loved one's ashes reflects a yearning for transcendence and a search for meaning in the face of loss.

Acceptance and Resilience: Amidst his sorrow, the man finds the strength to fulfill the final wishes of his departed loved one. His acceptance of the inevitable and his commitment to honoring the request demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity.

Emotions:

Sadness and Emptiness: The man's sadness is palpable throughout the poem, as he grapples with feelings of emptiness and loss. The imagery of ashes and dust evokes a sense of finality and the stark reality of death, intensifying his emotional turmoil.

Regret and Yearning: There's a tinge of regret and yearning in the man's reflections, as he wishes for a return to the past or an escape from his current reality. His longing for connection and his poignant plea for forgiveness convey deep emotional complexity.

Hopelessness and Resignation: Despite his efforts to honor the final wishes of his loved one, there's a sense of hopelessness and resignation in the man's actions. The imagery of ashes falling symbolizes the futility of his struggle against mortality and the inevitability of his own eventual demise.

Overall, your poem captures the raw intensity of grief and the profound existential questions it raises, inviting readers to contemplate the fleeting nature of life and the complexities of human existence.