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Mortality's Own Friend

(Inspired by Abe Lincoln’s poem “Memory”) Mortality's Own Friend So sadly here, among the dead, I live - mortality's own friend. Recalling all that's lost, I tread so sadly here, among the dead. Sweet memories are as a thread which link the living to their end. So sadly here, among the dead, I live - mortality's own friend. Here is Abraham Lincoln's "Memory," which really speaks to me (I could not get it to copy/paste from here to the box above: Memory by Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) My childhood’s home I see again, And sadden with the view; And still, as memory crowds my brain, There’s pleasure in it, too. O memory! thou midway world ’Twixt earth and paradise, Where things decayed and loved ones lost In dreamy shadows rise, And, freed from all that’s earthly, vile, Seem hallowed, pure and bright, Like scenes in some enchanted isle All bathed in liquid light. As dusky mountains please the eye When twilight chases day; As bugle notes that, passing by, In distance die away; As leaving some grand waterfall, We, lingering, list its roar -- So memory will hallow all We’ve known but know no more. Near twenty years have passed away Since here I bid farewell To woods and fields, and scenes of play, And playmates loved so well. The friends I left that parting day How changed, as time has sped! Young childhood grown, strong manhood gray; And half of all are dead. I hear the loved survivors tell How nought from death could save, Till every sound appears a knell And every spot a grave. I range the fields with pensive tread, And pace the hollow rooms, And feel (companion of the dead) I’m living in the tombs.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2014




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Date: 11/1/2014 5:54:00 AM
One of the best triolet's I have read.
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Date: 9/27/2014 12:18:00 PM
Had no idea that the prez wrote poetry so was surprised. You did a wonderful triolet Andrea. love phyl
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Date: 8/4/2014 5:56:00 PM
a lovely triolet, Andrea, a form which I too have taken fancy over the months. Congrats for lovely write and win. Mohan
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Date: 8/1/2014 2:41:00 PM
A-b-a-a-a-b-a-b rhyme scheme? WOW, how the heck did you come up with that?? Beautifully done and I just learned something else from this: I had no IDEA Abe Lincoln wrote poetry! BIG congrats my friend - Tim
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Tim Ryerson
Date: 8/1/2014 2:43:00 PM
OK, I just saw that this is a Triolet...You are a master of many forms dear lady...
Date: 7/31/2014 6:33:00 AM
Congrats on the win , Andrea, with this nice write!
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Date: 7/30/2014 1:20:00 AM
An amazing write Andrea! Congrats on huge win!
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Date: 7/29/2014 10:39:00 PM
Awesome Andrea, grats on placing, this contest was hard, but you nailed it!
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Date: 7/29/2014 6:15:00 PM
Hey Andrea, I read, and tried to understand most of these winning poems.. WOW... I'm glad this was not my contest...LOL... your poem was epic and dark... enjoyed.. your win...Linda
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Date: 7/5/2014 3:13:00 PM
love this and love Abe's poem too - never read any of his poetry before
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Date: 7/5/2014 9:33:00 AM
So awesome, Abraham Lincoln had such a beautiful poetic soul. And you have reiterated his sentiment wonderfully. Peace. :)
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Date: 7/5/2014 6:41:00 AM
As usual, stunning poetry from you my friend. Love the image of the 'thread of memories'. I know the poem by Mr. Lincoln but him being the author was a surprise. I must have forgotten that part and only remembered the words.
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Date: 7/3/2014 1:41:00 PM
Ah, when we allow memories to reinvent Mortality's meaning how curious we live. Your poem has a pensive beauty that I haven't felt from you before Andrea, its special and good. LINCOLN is truly an American Genius, thanks for reminding us of that Andrea. J.A.B.
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Date: 7/3/2014 3:56:00 AM
Excellent. Good poem. Enjoyed. Tfs
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Date: 7/2/2014 9:50:00 PM
PS>...< WOWOWOWOWO... ! I came back to read this poem, and I super love what and who inspired it... Andrea, I got to say, this is one of your best, and that's cause you have many best... LOL... Your poem kind of punked, me out, to stand and feel, the notion of it all was awesome... Thanks for sharing, Epic and ghostly ... Linda
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Date: 7/2/2014 9:43:00 PM
Andrea, I do not see it... Please, give me a title :)...Yeah! Linda
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Date: 7/2/2014 6:35:00 PM
Great poem Andrea; It is also educational. Abe, was a great man. Thanks for sharing... Lucilla
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Date: 7/2/2014 7:13:00 AM
I did not know that Abraham was a poet and was delighted that you shared this one with us..He was an extraordinary man whose life was cut short..Great work that you have penned about his work..Reads like a winner to me..Way to go for the contest..Thanks for stopping by..You write Triolets so well that I am sure that if you had entered one it would have been on top..Thanks again..Sara
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Date: 7/2/2014 5:24:00 AM
- Andrea .... a wonderful poem .... proficient as always! - Good luck in the contest. - Wish you a nice day. - oxox // Anne-Lise :)
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Date: 7/1/2014 3:48:00 PM
That's a wonderful poem by old Abe, thanks for sharing that. Your inspiration is a gem and will go in my Faves. Such a well written Triolet, Andrea. PS Format problems are solved. Thank you so much, my friend.... Robert.
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Date: 7/1/2014 12:37:00 PM
A well-written, moving poem. This is great: "I range the fields with pensive tread, And pace the hollow rooms, "
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Date: 7/1/2014 8:40:00 AM
Thanks for sharing his poem, it feels like it could have been written yesterday. It is amazing how words can link the living and the dead across the space of time and make it feel so close.
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/1/2014 8:41:00 AM
Your poem was a perfect complementto his writing.
Date: 6/30/2014 6:26:00 PM
part 2- so halfASSedly, I breached my contract with the contest to enter, and I left big Rube's 13th Floor by OUTKAST as simply a perfectly plagiarized piece of street magic. I would never claim to have written it. Although, if I could heave out stuff like he does, boy, I'd really be connected to somethin' FEIRCE! Keep on pluggin' away, San Andreas!~ JSL
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Date: 6/30/2014 6:22:00 PM
ole Honest ABE no lie is my 7th cousin twice removed or som'thin' to that effect. SO, it was bitter sweet to find out my wife is related to John Wilkes Booth! I sleep with one eye open. Your poem is a cool tribute, which unfortunately I am not good at doing. SO, in an attempt to redo Rubens Poem...Well, I kinda sorta failed my boy Big RUBE. My brain sometimes just aint wired for tributes. I am all free flow these dayS. That WAS mr. Baily's original poem, which I DID NOT COMPOSE! But I love it!
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/1/2014 8:39:00 AM
This comment fully amused me!
Date: 6/30/2014 5:46:00 PM
YOU! MY FRIEND, ARE A POETIC GENIUS!!!!! BFN eLAINE
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Date: 6/30/2014 1:27:00 PM
Good cemetery stuff, Andrea. BRRRRRRR! Seriously, this is outstanding. Love, daver
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