#THE DASH POEM WORDS FREE#

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. For You formed my inward parts You covered me in my mother’s womb. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” Even the night shall be light about me Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, but the night shines as the day The darkness and the light are both alike to You. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me It is high, I cannot attain it. You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. You know my sitting down and my rising up You understand my thought afar off. O Lord, You have searched me and known me.

#THE DASH POEM WORDS FREE#

Thinking of someone? Create a free obituary on Beyond the Dash today.Hymns from The Lutheran Hymnal (1941) unless otherwise noted Once your story is published online, you can share it with family and friends, and invite these loved ones to contribute photos and memories to the growing digital memorial. Whether or not the death was recent, it's always appropriate to share the story of a person who made an impact on you. If you are still troubled by a loss, writing about the person's achievements, character and relationships is a meaningful way of putting their life into perspective.īeyond the Dash is a digital space for families and loved ones to remember the dashes of precious loved ones who have passed away. We wanted to create a community for those who find catharsis in telling their loved ones' life stories.

Remember that your dash is still in the making, and you have the chance to control your story-now. When loss occurs, it's hard to see meaning in life. These are questions and thoughts that many people have during or around a funeral. It's easy to see where this poem's explosive popularity originates. There is no second chance, so it's important to remember to live life to the fullest.Īt the end of 'The Dash,' these questions are asked of the reader in the form of a challenge: 'would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?' (35-36).

It's also a warning not to squander the time we have in life. There are no guarantees that anyone will live to retirement age, or have enough time for that one last apology. In spite of that inevitability, there are opportunities to make the most of life. Ellis reminds us that death is inevitable, and it can come at any time. The 'Dash' is effectively a big carpe diem to readers. The speaker urges the reader to remember to show appreciation, respect and love as readily as possible, 'remembering that this special dash might only last a little while' (31-32). Would I be satisfied with my legacy on earth if I were to die tomorrow?.When confronted with grief, and the threat of your own demise, difficult questions arise: Doing activities that you enjoy, going on adventures and spending time with family and friends, are what really matter at the end of your life. It's not about 'how much we own, the cars.the house.the cash' (13-14). That dash represents the time we spend doing what we love in life. Ultimately, what really matters is compressed into one tiny line. The line between a person's birth and death dates on their tombstone represents the entire life they lived. He noted that first came the date of birthĪnd spoke of the following date with tears, This eulogist offers a funeral congregation wisdom on matters of life and death: 'The Dash' is written in first-person by a speaker who 'read of a man who stood to speak at a funeral of a friend' (Lines 1-2). Today we are exploring Linda Ellis' death positive poem-'The Dash.' 'The Dash' has become a memorial service staple that thousands of families recite each year when burying their dead. The 36 lines have since come to comprise a most beloved modern funeral poem. Linda Ellis wrote 'The Dash' in one afternoon in 1996. Carpe diem means 'seize the day' - are you making the most of your dash? (Shutterstock)ĭid you know Beyond the Dash's name is a literary reference?

The dash poem words