He is gone

Read at Gordon's burial by his neice, Alison, on 26th October 201


You can shed tears that he is gone
or you can smile because he has lived


You can close your eyes and pray that he’ll come back
or you can open your eyes and see all he’s left.


Your heart can be empty because you can’t see him
or you can be full of the love you shared.


You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.


You can remember him and only that he’s gone
or you can cherish his memory and let it live on.


You can cry and close your mind,
be empty and turn your back
or you can do what he’d want:
smile, open your eyes, love and go on.



David Harkins, © 1981
Silloth, Cumbria, UK