under the sheet

his body, movement

slowing with each breathing

melting away, falling away

under the sheet, the clothing

ready to fly, to leave

to vault to the heavens

slowly letting go of life

her hand his only possession

================

edited October 8, 2017

under the sheet – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2017/10/under-sheet-v2_8.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2017/10/under-sheet-v2.html

November 8, 2011

under the sheet

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/11/under-sheet.html

the dying of Jack Grant, 2003

“The Wish”, by Donald Hall

with line “Let Me Go”

Poet’s Corner

monthly poetry readings

Suncook Senior Center

November 7, 2011

&

edited January 19, 2016

Memories – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/memories-v3.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/memories-v3_19.html

(editing original – version 2 is not about this poem)

posted August 26, 2004

written September 26, 2003 22:45

Memories

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/08/memories.html

&

edited January 19, 2016

Love Everlasting – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/love-everlasting-v2.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/love-everlasting-v2_19.html

posted March 3, 2004

written September 26, 2003 22:41

Love Everlasting

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/03/love-everlasting.html

&

edited January 7, 2016

Last Breath – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/last-breath-v2.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/last-breath-v2_7.html

posted February 19, 2004

written 9/26/03 22:00

Last Breath

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/02/last-breath.html

edits 9/27/03 12:45

edits 10/1/03 15:26,

after reading it at Jack Grant’s memorial service,

adding pauses

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 45,110 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Concord NH, Faith, God, Family, hope, Nature, UMC, New Hampshire, poetry, touch, Wesley United Methodist Church, death, husband, wife, dying, breathing, widow, hospitality, presence, Spirit,

#Faith #God #Family #hope #Nature #UMC #NH #poetry #touch #husband #wife #dying #breathing #widow #hospitality #presence #Spirit

=====================================================================================

Faith, God, Christ, Spirit, love, grace, Methodist, calling, witness, God’s purpose, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, disciple, poetry, writing poetry, sacrifice, cross, cup, offering, death,

#God #Christ #Spirit #faith #love #calling #servant #grace #poetry #sacrifice #cross #journey #writing #clay #death

under the sheet – v2

watching in silence

a reverent witness

his body, movement

slowing with each breathing

leading to silence

melting away, falling away,

under the sheet, the clothing

ready to fly, to leave

to vault to the heavens

slowly letting go of life

at the last her hand

his only possession

================

edited October 8, 2017

under the sheet – v2

November 8, 2011

under the sheet

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/11/under-sheet.html

the dying of Jack Grant, 2003

“Let Me Go”, by Donald Hall

Poet’s Corner

monthly poetry readings

Suncook Senior Center

November 7, 2011

&

edited January 19, 2016

Memories – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/memories-v3.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/memories-v3_19.html

(editing original – version 2 is not about this poem)

posted August 26, 2004

written September 26, 2003 22:45

Memories

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/08/memories.html

&

edited January 19, 2016

Love Everlasting – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/love-everlasting-v2.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/love-everlasting-v2_19.html

posted March 3, 2004

written September 26, 2003 22:41

Love Everlasting

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/03/love-everlasting.html

&

edited January 7, 2016

Last Breath – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/last-breath-v2.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/last-breath-v2_7.html

posted February 19, 2004

written 9/26/03 22:00

Last Breath

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/02/last-breath.html

edits 9/27/03 12:45

edits 10/1/03 15:26,

after reading it at Jack Grant’s memorial service,

adding pauses

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 45,110 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Concord NH, Faith, God, Family, hope, Nature, UMC, New Hampshire, poetry, touch, Wesley United Methodist Church, death, husband, wife, dying, breathing, widow, hospitality, presence, Spirit,

#Faith #God #Family #hope #Nature #UMC #NH #poetry #touch #husband #wife #dying #breathing #widow #hospitality #presence #Spirit

=====================================================================================

Faith, God, Christ, Spirit, love, grace, Methodist, calling, witness, God’s purpose, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, disciple, poetry, writing poetry, sacrifice, cross, cup, offering, death,

#God #Christ #Spirit #faith #love #calling #servant #grace #poetry #sacrifice #cross #journey #writing #clay #death

Memories – v3

Between the pain

Her memories

Of their life together

Of happy hour

At home at 4:00

Deer eyes,

Following me

Around the room

Eagle Scout

and Veteran

Your strength

Your Rock and safe harbor

Marksman and Accountant

Friend and lover;

The man in your life

Here and hereafter.

================== 

edited January 19, 2016

Memories – v3

(editing original – version 2 is not about this poem)

posted August 26, 2004

written September 26, 2003 22:45

Memories

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/08/memories.html

&

===============

edited January 19, 2016

Love Everlasting – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/love-everlasting-v2.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/love-everlasting-v2_19.html

posted March 3, 2004

written September 26, 2003 22:41

Love Everlasting

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/03/love-everlasting.html

&

edited January 7, 2016

Last Breath – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/last-breath-v2.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/last-breath-v2_7.html

posted February 19, 2004

written 9/26/03 22:00

Last Breath

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/02/last-breath.html

edits 9/27/03 12:45

edits 10/1/03 15:26,

after reading it at Jack Grant’s memorial service,

adding pauses

&

November 8, 2011

under the sheet

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/11/under-sheet.html

the dying of Jack Grant, 2003

“Let Me Go”, by Donald Hall

Poet’s Corner

monthly poetry readings

Suncook Senior Center

November 7, 2011

All of my poems and photographs are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 40,740+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Love Everlasting – v2

I saw love everlasting

today, this moment

In their goodbye;

Sorrow in her spirit

Hope for tomorrow

For union, reunion,

in eternity

A husband, a soulmate,

wasting, overtaken

The Reaper alongside;

A wife losing

her friend and champion –

her “Mr. Wonderful”

Raw emotion, tears,

pain, compassion

loss and longing

love and tears

Frozen forever

in Love Everlasting

===============

edited January 19, 2016

Love Everlasting – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/love-everlasting-v2.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/love-everlasting-v2_19.html

posted March 3, 2004

written September 26, 2003 22:41

Love Everlasting

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/03/love-everlasting.html

&

edited January 7, 2016

Last Breath – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/last-breath-v2.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/last-breath-v2_7.html

posted February 19, 2004

written 9/26/03 22:00

Last Breath

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/02/last-breath.html

edits 9/27/03 12:45

edits 10/1/03 15:26,

after reading it at Jack Grant’s memorial service,

adding pauses

&

November 8, 2011

under the sheet

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/11/under-sheet.html

the dying of Jack Grant, 2003

“Let Me Go”, by Donald Hall

Poet’s Corner

monthly poetry readings

Suncook Senior Center

November 7, 2011

All of my poems and photographs are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 40,740+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Last Breath – v2

At your right,

I sat, silently,

with you, near you

feeling your presence, your pain.

Labored breath fell to

Slow, uneven gasps

barely audible.

Abrupt silence

stillness about you.

Instinctively, going,

I moved.

At your left –

Touch you, your face

Comforting you

at your end.

Your chest heaved

Fitfully, reluctantly,

Under me, my touch.

Draw to you.

My cheek

Against yours

Sharing this moment.

Your last breath.

===============

edited January 19, 2016

Love Everlasting – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/love-everlasting-v2.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/love-everlasting-v2_19.html

posted March 3, 2004

written September 26, 2003 22:41

Love Everlasting

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/03/love-everlasting.html

&

edited January 7, 2016

Last Breath – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/last-breath-v2.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/last-breath-v2_7.html

posted February 19, 2004

written 9/26/03 22:00

Last Breath

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/02/last-breath.html

edits 9/27/03 12:45

edits 10/1/03 15:26,

after reading it at Jack Grant’s memorial service,

adding pauses

&

November 8, 2011

under the sheet

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/11/under-sheet.html

the dying of Jack Grant, 2003

“Let Me Go”, by Donald Hall

Poet’s Corner

monthly poetry readings

Suncook Senior Center

November 7, 2011

All of my poems and photographs are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 40,740+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Friend for Forever

Christ’s love eternal
without beginning or end
in the arms of our father
loving us as a true friend
holding us close to him
suffering and dying for us
telling us to love one another
following his command

A friend for forever
time without end
sharing life with us
seeking us out, from the world
pulling us close to him
teaching us how to live
with our neighbor
and our Father with him.


July 19, 2010
John 15:15
John 15:9-17
&
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=7&day=19&year=2010
for July 19, 2010, read July 19, 2010
“Jesus, Our BFF”,
by Dorothy O’Neill


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,130+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Dying on the Cross in Christ

Turning over my past
joining Paul’s confession
dying on the cross with Christ
leaving my self
my focus on the earth
rising with Christ
given eternal birth

Living for Christ
heeding my master’s call
walking with him by my side
guiding me in the world
taking up my cross
sharing the grace of God
using my gifts from him
a messenger of God’s love


June 14, 2010
Galatians 2:15-21
and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for June 7, 2010 to June 13, 2010,
“The Welcome Table”,
http://www.childrensdefense.org/who-is-cdf/cdf-leadership-staff/marian-wright-edelman/
by Marian Wright Edelman
for June 11, 2010,
read June 14, 2010


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,380+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

In Living or Dying

In living or dying
an offering to the Lord
not for ourselves
to do as we choose
humbly living, dying
unto the Lord alone

He is our focus,
the guide star of our lives
in his living and dying
in his rising
he gave us new birth

Christ, our master,
calls us to follow
gratefully we rise
hearing his voice
following our shepherd
in our living or dying
offering our all
humbly for the Lord


May 2, 2010
Romans 14:7
Romans 14:7-8
Romans 14:1-12

Day 222, “No Man Is an Island”,
in “Daily Mediations: On Golden Texts of the Bible”,
by Henry Gariepy
http://books.google.com/books?id=9tjVtRt3TUMC&pg=PP1&dq=henry+gariepy&ei=6tqBSqLVDJiQyQT4i9DOCg#v=onepage&q=&f=false
read 5/2/2010


Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

Last Breath

At your right,
I sat
with you, near you
feeling your presence, your pain

Labored breath fell to
Slow, uneven gasps
barely audible

Abrupt silence

Instinctively
I moved.

At your left –
Touch you, your face
Comforting you
at your end.

Your chest heaved
Fitfully
Under me, my touch

Draw to you.
My cheek
Against yours
Sharing

Your last breath

================

edited October 8, 2017

under the sheet – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2017/10/under-sheet-v3.html

(editing original)

edited October 8, 2017

under the sheet – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2017/10/under-sheet-v2_8.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2017/10/under-sheet-v2.html

November 8, 2011

under the sheet

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2017/10/under-sheet.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/11/under-sheet.html

the dying of Jack Grant, 2003

“The Wish”, by Donald Hall

with line “Let Me Go”

Poet’s Corner

monthly poetry readings

Suncook Senior Center

November 7, 2011

&

edited January 19, 2016

Memories – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/memories-v3.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/memories-v3_19.html

(editing original – version 2 is not about this poem)

posted August 26, 2004

written September 26, 2003 22:45

Memories

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/08/memories.html

&

edited January 19, 2016

Love Everlasting – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/love-everlasting-v2.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/love-everlasting-v2_19.html

posted March 3, 2004

written September 26, 2003 22:41

Love Everlasting

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/03/love-everlasting.html

&

edited January 7, 2016

Last Breath – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/last-breath-v2.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/last-breath-v2_7.html

posted February 19, 2004

written 9/26/03 22:00

Last Breath

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2004/02/last-breath.html

edits 9/27/03 12:45

edits 10/1/03 15:26,

after reading it at Jack Grant’s memorial service,

adding pauses

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 45,110 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Concord NH, Faith, God, Family, hope, Nature, UMC, New Hampshire, poetry, touch, Wesley United Methodist Church, death, husband, wife, dying, breathing, widow, hospitality, presence, Spirit,

#Faith #God #Family #hope #Nature #UMC #NH #poetry #touch #husband #wife #dying #breathing #widow #hospitality #presence #Spirit

=====================================================================================

Faith, God, Christ, Spirit, love, grace, Methodist, calling, witness, God’s purpose, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, disciple, poetry, writing poetry, sacrifice, cross, cup, offering, death, Donald Hall,

#God #Christ #Spirit #faith #love #calling #servant #grace #poetry #sacrifice #cross #journey #writing #clay #death #DonaldHall