Category Archives: The Next Chapter

“Father Death Blues” by Allen Ginsberg

The Beat poet explores life, mortality & sexuality after his father's death
Posted on December 19, 2024 by Cassandra Seale (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

Hey Father Death, I’m flying home Hey poor man, you’re all alone Hey old daddy, I know where I’m going […] Guru Death your words are true Teacher Death I do thank you For inspiring me to sing this Blues … Continue reading →

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Wild Geese” by Mary Oliver

Oliver’s beloved poem has brought comfort to many mourning the loss of a loved one
Posted on December 1, 2024 by Mitch Lobrovich (Blog Writer) SevenPonds

You do not have to be good. You do not have to walk on your knees for a hundred miles through the desert repenting. You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves. Tell … Continue reading →

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“Little Father” by Li-Young Lee

A son explores his father’s death and ongoing presence in heartfelt poem
Posted on October 5, 2024 by Rachel Jones (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

I buried my father in the sky. Since then, the birds clean and comb him every morning and pull the blanket up to his chin every night. I buried my father underground. Since then, my ladders only climb down, and … Continue reading →

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“Mortality” by William Knox

Abraham Lincoln's favorite poem expresses how death is the great equalizer
Posted on September 4, 2024 by Caitlin Manner (Blog Writer) SevenPonds

Oh! why should the spirit of mortal be proud! Like a light-fleeting meteor, a fast-flitting cloud, A flash of the lightning, a break of the wave, He passeth from life to his rest in the grave. The leaves of the … Continue reading →

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“The Night Where You No Longer Live” by Meghan O’Rourke

A speaker asks their loved one questions about death and the afterlife
Posted on August 3, 2024 by Monica Salazar (Blog Writer) SevenPonds

Was it like lifting a veil And was the grass treacherous, the green grass   Did you think of your own mother   Was it like a virus Did the software flicker   And was this the beginning Was it … Continue reading →

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“Legacies” by Nikki Giovanni

Poem explores one generation's transmission to another
Posted on July 4, 2024 by Rachel Jones (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

her grandmother called her from the playground        “yes, ma’am”        “i want chu to learn how to make rolls” said the old woman proudly but the little girl didn’t want to learn how because she knew even if she … Continue reading →

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