Click the pic for the original challenge. Written for Pirate’s Līgo Haībun Challenge.
~ Prompt “Bouquet/Bouquet of Flowers/Flower”
Nature takes back what’s hers. Some things stand a time longer than others, but in time she takes them all.
~ Anne Schilde
Lonely flowers will likely decorate my final plot when nature takes me back. They will come, she’ll take them too, and in time, they’ll come no more. Who then will say I was a writer if the words I leave behind do not? And what perfect words upon my tomb at journey’s end will tell the world of my undying passion for the words I so loved to write?
If all my life I thought it through, I doubt I’d ever find more perfect words than those inscribed there now. They’re fitting, don’t you think? What poetic script could be more apropos? She’ll take my breath, she’ll take my bones, but she cannot have my epitaph. For if indeed I truly am a writer, then e’er my words shall dance upon my grave.
forgotten bouquets
wilted memories of me
my words linger on
© 2013 Anne Schilde
for Pauper Prince ♥
Anne Schilde 
Very well written. I think that I heard that quote before, but can’t quite place it! Up to your usual high standards!
I messed up the title. It totally sounds like I’m in love with myself. I’ve been struggling with what to rename it…
Good choice!
Thanks, Joe. 🙂
there’s a comfort in knowing you can give a part of yourself to remain, regardless of nature’s claim. Nicely expressed.
Thank you! May our words outlive us all! ♥
er, some of them I’d rather not, Anne! hehe
Beautiful write-up..It is true that words will live forever..
And dance! 🙂
words and dance! very true ^^
Kinda freaky seeing my name on a tombstone… 🙂
wonderful writing as always. your name is Flower Anne? that’s nice. Flower’s really nice, sounds very carefree ^^ love this line “Who then will say I was a writer if the words I leave behind do not?” and of course, that quote from you in the beginning.
It’s a pen name, but it’s the only one I have. Other people tend to like it a lot more than I do. I’m glad you like the piece, kz!
it’s a great pen name. i like it a lot ^^
sticks and stones
interred with bones
but words will never fail me
Live life and love
and leave the rest
and rest in peace upon my breast.
wherein lies the pauper prince…
What a beautiful response, Randy!
You, and your writing, inspire me… Thanks.
You are also so prolific. It is amazing to me. i can’t keep up with all your writing. I have papers around the office and the house that i keep reading. I am a poor computer reader so I am constantly printing them out to read. Plus I like the feel of paper in my hands and turning pages and going back and relaxing with your words.
therein is my epitaph for you
Haha, well obviously, you’ve inspired me to think the last couple of days. I hope what I wrote was encouraging. You are never obligated to read… unless you’re familiar with Kipling.
This is Kipling:
If you can dream – and not make dreams your master;
If you can think – and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
What lines are you referring to?
I wrote a parody of his Just So Stories, called The Man who Emptied the Sea. 🙂
Yes i have it printed it and will move it to the top. You just posted it recently. A day or so ago?
what a writ eup Anne ! you just wiped evrything off the mind! just you and your words remain!
Hehe! And properly thankful I’m still part of that sentence! 🙂
In the words being indestructble lies hop of humanity and hope for our memories. We all now that the evil always attack the words first as they see them as the biggest threat, Great write
Ooh, awesome point, Björn! Evil attacks the words first! @%&^#ing censors!
Flowers do make us think about mortality.
Will my words live on?
Only as long as there is an internet.
Cheers!
JzB
Undoubtedly, Emily immortalizes your words already!
That’s sweet.
Just ran across this relevant quote:
i don’t want to achieve immortality through my work. I want to achieve it by not dying – woody allen.
Haha, that’s awesome!
Beautiful!
Thank you!
death may seem sad to some but if we leave a beautiful legacy, it should come as a joyful event. love the last words in your haiku…”my words linger on.” ♥
Jody rightly pointed out there are some words we don’t want to linger, but may those worthy linger on, Sunshine!
right on, Anne. i believe in the end, goodness will prevail & that would mean in words as well. 😉
❤
♥
We are indeed in the hands of nature, and She has the right to take us back any time… A beautiful post!
I like the capital She. 🙂 Thank you, MD!
Beautifully carved. This piece does read as if it will be found years hence by someone, and pondered over..very nice lines in finishing.
“carved” 🙂 Very good eye, Pirate! I was attempting to turn an excerpt from my first finished novel into a future “travelogue” of my life.
It’s such a pleasure reading this beautiful piece of writing. So true, nature will take everything but not our words. And that haiku in the end says this so beautifully.
Thanks, Gracy. I went to Mt. Diablo, where tectonic upheaval has unearthed walls of compressed sand, carved by centuries of wind. Like thousands of others, I signed my name. I realized after I did it, that my signature will probably still be there after I’m dead, but the wind will eventually eat it away. It kind of stuck with me.
lovely !!
Loved this one. perfect 🙂
Thank you! I hope I can actually be scattered on the wind. An empty tombstone is kind of meaningless and expensive. 🙂
Perfection. May your words, my words, our words, live on.
– Ermisenda
And dance!