Atheist Poem request

[Jolly Bloger]

I go running at a lake near my house. The other day I noticed a laminated sheet of paper attached to a bench along the trail. There was a poem written on it called the Broken Chain (see below). It was obviously posted by someone who had lost their father recently, and it's a nice, inspirational, but very religious poem. I would like to post a reply next to it, consisting of another poem, similar in spirit, but representing a humanist and naturalistic philosophy.

Can anyone help me find such a poem? I certainly don't want to be argumentative or snarky about it, my goal is to show you don't need some silly delusion of being reunited in heaven to show compassion for a dead family member.

Here's the text of the poem:

We little knew that morning that
God was going to call your name.
In life we loved you dearly, dad.
In death we do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you.
You did not go alone,
for part of us went with you
the day God called you home.

You left us peaceful memories.
Your love is still our guide.
And though we cannot see you,
you are always at our side.

Our family chain is broken
and nothing seems the same,
but as God calls us one by one,
the Chain will link again.

Thanks everyone!

[suestokes]

not wanting to suggest this for your reply, but you inspired me to put something in writing, and i wanted to share it, hope that's ok


In Gratitude.

Granddad I have so many memories,
It’s hard to know where to start,
I wish I’d had many more,
Before we were split apart.

You taught me to love all things living,
To care and to tend and enjoy,
Whatever your actual age,
You had the spirit and joy of a boy.

It was hard for us all when you left,
Even though we had known for a while,
Knowing we’d never again hear your voice,
Or see your face beam with a smile.

Now you’re gone, but alive in our memories,
For you the pain no more,
The hurt for us does carry on,
But is softened by thoughts of before.

In death as in life you were strong,
You knew your time was at an end,
But that time you had you ensured,
Your love touched many a friend.

It’s a fact we all should not avoid,
One life, one chance that’s all,
You’ve set an example for many,
No second chances, give this life your all.

[cyberguy]

I don't know that New Zealand performance poet Sam Hunt is an atheist - maybe not. He does mention "Heaven" once but only as an abstract. But he really captures the true bleak feeling of loss in all its rawness.

This is one of my favourite poems. Try reading it out loud.

My Father Today - Sam Hunt, 1977.

They buried him today
up Schnapper Rock Road,
my father in cold clay.

A heavy south wind towed
the drape of light away.
Friends, men met on the road,

stood round in that dumb way
men stand when lost for words.
There was nothing to say.

I heard the bitchy chords
of magpies in an old-man
pine... 'My old man, he's worlds

away - call it Heaven -
no men so elegantly
dressed. His last afternoon,

staring out to sea,
he nods off in his chair.
He wonders what the

yelling's all about up there.
They just about explode!
And now, these magpies here

up Schnapper Rock Road...'
They buried him in clay.
He was a heavy load,

my dead father today.

[crimsongoatee]

Dig through http://www.atheist-poetry.com, maybe you'll find something to your liking.