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A Poem Composed In A Heartbeat

While discussing dreams of death and my funeral, my son was composing his reply to my passing away — in poetry

Josephine Crispin
3 min readDec 22, 2024

Seven years ago this very day, I was chatting with my son and daughter. Online. Our gadget cameras were not on. We were just typing. The two were in separate countries in Europe while I was back in Manila for a spell.

When I joined the type-chat, the two were discussing a dream about death. I shared my own dream, a very vivid dream I dreamt not long ago.

Note that there was no tinge of negativity in our conversation. My children are intelligent adults, with lives and careers of their own.

My dream was about my own funeral. It was a sunny day, sunny but cool. Perhaps late spring or early autumn. I could almost feel the sombre breeze in that dream. There was no sadness in me as I looked down at the scene.

My daughter looked too beautiful in black, in grief, with a matching black hat on. My son, in dark formal suit, was disconsolate in repose.

After describing the dream about my funeral, I reassured the two that I did not mind dying before them. That is the way that it should be.

But I emphasised that I wanted to live longer. I was enjoying my corporate job for…

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Josephine Crispin
Josephine Crispin

Written by Josephine Crispin

Writes about writing, nature, animals, the environment, social issues and spirituality. Editor and published author of romance novellas amongst other genres.

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