Burial Quote by Louise Gluck
““The Fear of Burial In the empty field, in the morning, the body waits to be claimed. The spirit sits beside it, on a small rock-- nothing comes to give it form again. Think of the body's loneliness. At night pacing the sheared field, its shadow buckled tightly around. Such a long journey. And already the remote, trembling lights of the village not pausing for it as they scan the rows. How far away they seem, the wooden doors, the bread and milk laid like weights on the table.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: "The Fear of Burial", from the collection "The Wild Iris", 1992
The poem reflects on death’s isolation, the body’s abandonment, and the indifferent continuation of life around it.
In simple terms: Death feels lonely while life moves on.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge mortality and cherish connections.
Themes
mortality
loneliness
existence
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
poetic
contemplative
When to use this quote
- funeral planning
- grief counseling
- mindfulness practice
- writing about loss
Key Concepts
impermanence
human isolation
rituals
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this view of death affect your daily life?
- What rituals bring you comfort?
A Different Perspective
The poem’s abstract imagery may obscure practical meaning.
