The Dash Poem

by Linda Ellis








I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end

He noted that first came the date of her birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years

For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not how much we own;
The cars, the house, the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard.
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?



http://www.lindaslyrics.com/thedashpoem.html

The first time I heard this was a funeral for a friend's daughter who was 19. It was 4 days after D-day for me.

I kept thinking that my H would do the right thing and come home and work on our marriage. Wrong!

I am proud to say, that I can die tomorrow and be proud of my dash for the grace, dignity and changes I have done through this horrendous time as well as who I have been all these years.

How I would love to send this to my WH, but he is so far gone it wouldn't matter and he would say that he is proud for standing up for his truth.

This is a wonderful poem, I hope it touches all of you and one day my H will be proud of his dash.

With much appreciation and respect for you all who have helped me through this awful time.

Skinsgal