This poem was inspired by the words ‘What would love do now?’ in Felicity Warner’s Soul Midwife Training materials. With support from Felicity and Jude Meryl, and creative input from Julian Burton (illustrator) and Corinna Powlesland (coach/actress), I am delighted to let you know that the full poem and a spoken video recording is freely available via the Soul Midwives shop at https://soulmidwivesshop.org/product/what-would-love-do-now-at-the-end-of-my-life/
Please do take a look and share with others. I hope it encourages people to think about the choices and wishes for the end of their life, and for their loved ones.
At the end of my life….what would love do now?
Love would be still and open; listening closely to what I might be telling you by voice or body,
Not fixing, not directing; not diminishing my pain and fear.
Love will be tender and kind, reassuring me that you are here beside me, and with me,
Not scared or telling me it will all be okay or to keep my chin up,
But companionable, constant and present in the face of our not knowing.
Love will attend to my comfort and my surroundings
Adjusting the covers, the warmth and light, with gentle touch and sounds.
Love will touch me, wiping my brow, holding my hand and stroking my arm,
Looking into my eyes without backing away in the face of my impending death.
Love will help others to be here too.
To help those I love to be near me by whatever means we can use.
Love will dance or hum to the tunes of our lives and help us to share this precious time.
Love will give me chance to say goodbye to those I love,
and for them to say it to me if they choose.
To share stories and memories of our times together, good and bad.
Love will not shy away from the things that need to be felt, and said and heard.
To show how much you mean to me, and, perhaps, of I to you.
Love will surround me until, and even beyond, the point where I leave you, parted, perhaps, forever.
Love will let me go with dignity and in peace as we say our goodbyes and I take my leave.
To let me know that while I may be missed… my loved ones will be okay.
Love will honour and celebrate our times together through stories and memories,
When the right time comes for people to gather again.
Or before, because there is no need to wait.
Love will go on living and laughing and celebrating the precious days ahead,
Knowing that I lived well and died well, surrounded by love.
Reflection: What are your choices and wishes for the end of your life? What matters to you and to your loved ones?
Julie Barnes, 9 April 2020, julie.barnes@yahoo.co.uk Inspired by Felicity Warner, Soul Midwife Training, www.soulmidwives.co.uk
Illustration by Julian Burton julian.burton@delta7.com Video recording with Corinna Powlesland at https://soulmidwivesshop.org/
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