I hear the steady rhythm of a familiar beat
The beat that belongs to my heart
Each intake of breath induces own brand of sweet
I’ve been lectured its beat won’t last through the night
A motif I’ve heard several times before
This new morning again dispels that tale and again I’m alright
Well as right as right can be with these tubes in my chest
The clicks, chinks and whoosh, a daily orchestration of my machines
I half think to ask to take them out they’ve done their last test
I’ve buried children, a husband, and friends
The blessing and curse of having a long life
Outliving those who would be with me at my end
No longer with the ones of my long life’s sharing
To pillow my days with fond memories
I slowly die alone attended by some other’s caring
Who will last close these feathered eyes is out of my control
With no one left to rescue the memory of my name
I wonder how long before I’m another forgotten soul
<>==========<>==========<>
At dVerse we’re asked to pen our fears. This is mine – that I will outlive everyone who would love and advocate for me. That I will die, not necessarily by myself, but definitely alone.
Raivenne-lations 
Oh my word. The last two stanzas are heartbreaking to read.
It is so sad to think that anyone of us should have this fear…even void of family, with so many people in this world that could reach out. Your poem is riveting. I could visualize all of it, the images, the sounds. Thanks for facing your fear to share it with us.
Gosh, this is so strong and melancholy. I don’t want to outlive my loved ones either.
“With no one left to rescue the memory of my name
I wonder how long before I’m another forgotten soul”
a very relatable fear, well said.
That is the most terrifying reality anyone could face. I hope you find strength in your soul.
A powerful write specially with the last verse. That is my worst fear too, to outlive everyone and fearing no one to bury me. This struck a chord in me Raivenne.
Wow. This poem is gripping and touches on a fear I think many of us have but don’t talk about out loud.
this poem almost moved me to tears especially that last two lines. I hope that no soul was ever forgotten, sadly it is not the reality.
Hmm. Dying alone would be sad. I understand your fear.
I think it’s a common fear but that doesn’t make it less fearful. To counteract that fear, I had always heard (from a certain teacher that I had) that no one ever dies alone. There is always someone on the other side to welcome you. That is comforting.
This is so painful. I spent many hours as a child wondering about death and who would notice when I disappeared.
Such a sad and lonely scenario. Beautifully written!.<3
This is so poignant… You have penned something which perhaps all of us feel.. Beautifully done.
That’s a bad fear all right! I hope that imagining it so vividly and writing it so eloquently may ease it.
Oh my. Your words brought me to such a deep place of introspection. There is much to let marinate in my being here. Added to this fear of being alone when we die is the additional one of fearing we have left something for the world that is meaningful. But, just by writing words, we are. 🙂
Argh.
Oh, the feathered eyes… That line made me so sad. Life exacts its price.