Poem When I Die (Selections for Someone Lost in Death)

When we question why it feels as though nothing matters? These inquiries come naturally as we try to comprehend a significant loss, and they will be addressed in the poem when I die.

Poem When I Die

This poem is an epitaph, as its title indicates. This shows that it was written in honor of a deceased person; in this example, Emily Fornell‘s passing.

It is used to reflect on historical recollections and the realities of mortality. They may occasionally use this kind of poem as an elegy. Epitaphs are memorials to a person who the author or reader cared about and who has died away.

Anyone can write them, either for or by them. The popularity of this specific poem has skyrocketed. It’s frequently recited at funerals and memorial events since it so effectively expresses a heartfelt perspective on dying.

Epitaph

When I die
Give what’s left of me away
To children
And old men that wait to die.

And if you need to cry,
Cry for your brother
Walking the street beside you.
And when you need me,
Put your arms
Around anyone
And give them
What you need to give to me.

I want to leave you something,
Something better
Than words
Or sounds.

Look for me
In the people I’ve known
Or loved,
And if you cannot give me away,
At least let me live on in your eyes
And not your mind.

You can love me most
By letting
Hands touch hands,
By letting bodies touch bodies,
And by letting go
Of children
That need to be free.

Love doesn’t die,
People do.
So, when all that’s left of me
Is love,
Give me away.

By Merrit Malloy

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Summary

The speaker tells the reader or readers in the poem’s opening lines they desire their life and death to have the greatest positive impact on the planet.

This implies that they should donate their body to those in need, and someone should use them as effectively their memory as possible. The speaker asks the listener to reflect on the love they shared and use it to change the world rather than lament it.

Nobody should cry for them, the speaker does not desire that. Instead of crying for the dead, people should focus on the pain of the living. Turn to them and put all “you” have towards making their lives better.

Detailed Analysis

Stanzas One and Two

When I die

Give what’s left of me away

(…)

Around anyone

And give them

What you need to give to me.

The speaker of “Epitaph” opens the first verse by outlining what they wish to happen to them once they pass away.

This opening statement is strong and arresting. By implying that they desire to provide their physical bodies in whatever manner possible, they are helping people who might require some components that are still present. The speaker requests with no hesitancy.

The speaker makes it apparent that they don’t want anyone to spend too much time grieving over their departure while speaking to the listener. They don’t want people to be preoccupied with their passing.

Stanzas Three and Four

I want to leave you something,

Something better

(..)

And if you cannot give me away,

At least let me live on in your eyes

And not your mind.

Like the first stanza, the third stanza has four lines and is quite straightforward. The speaker gives a justification for why they are thinking of dying so sacrificially.

They have the power to influence people physically, whether it is via the good deeds they may inspire in others or how their body is used after they pass away.

The speaker is well aware of how others would grieve their loss and search for them constantly. However, individuals who are reading or hearing this poetry should “let [them] live on in your sight / And not your mind,” rather than pining for the speaker.

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Stanzas Five and Six

You can love me most

By letting

(…)

People do.

So, when all that’s left of me

Is love,

Give me away.

The speaker continues in the fifth line, “Allowing / Hands contact hands / By letting bodies meet bodies / Is the ideal approach for anybody to adore esteem.” This lovely text requests that the listener or listeners stay aware of their surroundings and promote community and togetherness.

The world is improved through interacting with people and spreading love. The speaker’s ultimate goal is just that.

Everything the speaker has spoken about their passing is repeated in the last verse. They desire to be distributed, shared in a way that makes as many people’s lives better as possible. They can create a new manner for the love they shared with the listener to endure.

Themes

The poet explores the concepts of love, loss, memory, and transformation throughout this poem. Their speaker hopes that by sharing their memory, they can effect change.

They speak candidly about their own passing, releasing the listener from having to deal with their own grief and trauma so they may enjoy life and count their blessings.

Instead of worrying about the speaker who has passed away, they would prefer that anybody listening to the poem freely express their love in order to better the lives of others.

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Literary Devices in the Poem When I Die

Malloy makes use of several literary techniques in “Epitaph.” They comprise, but are not restricted to:

1. Repetition: happens when a poet repeatedly employs similar phrases, pictures, concepts, or even sounds in their works. The speaker of the poem repeatedly requests to be “given away” after death.

2. Alliteration: the same consonant sounds at the beginning of words may be seen. For instance, the lines “Hands,” which are repeated twice in line three of stanza five, and “At least let me live” in verse four.

3. Enjambment: occurs when the poet ends a line before it would naturally end. As in the change between lines two and three of the fourth stanza and lines one and two of the first stanza. This poem has a lot of illustrations.

Death is always an uncertainty and with this article on the poem when I die, we hope you’ve been able to find some closure. Please endeavor to share this article with family, friends, and colleagues. Cheers.

Daily Time Poems.

Poem When I Die (Selections for Someone Lost in Death)