Death Quote by Audre Lorde
“If you come as softly As wind within the trees You may hear what I hear See what sorrow sees. If you come as lightly As threading dew I will take you gladly Nor ask more of you. You may sit beside me Silent as a breath Only those who stay dead Shall remember death. And if you come I will be silent Nor speak harsh words to you. I will not ask you why, now. Or how, or what you do. We shall sit here, softly Beneath two different years And the rich earth between us Shall drink our tears.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Collected Poems of Audre Lorde, 1992
The poem invites gentle, compassionate presence, urging quiet listening and shared mourning without judgment.
In simple terms: Be gentle and listen without judgment.
Key Takeaway
Approach others with quiet empathy.
Themes
compassion
grief
presence
silence
empathy
Mood
reflective
somber
hopeful
Type
poetic
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- funeral rites
- grief counseling
- intimate conversations
- meditative gatherings
Key Concepts
existential
shared sorrow
quiet communion
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you offer quiet support to someone in grief?
- What does silent presence mean to you?
A Different Perspective
The poem assumes all participants are willing to engage in silence, which may not hold true for everyone.
