When My Heart Stops
funeral attendance won’t exceed six.
The pastor will just drag my pine-box
to the cold and shallow ditch.
I’ll probably be buried with no socks
in a tacky suit that barely fits.
My father will keep staring at the clock;
trying not to miss the Yankees’ first pitch.
When it is time for remarks
it’ll be quiet – because I never had a niche.
My wife will use her teardrops
to loosen my wedding ban into her fist.
My death will be a gain in the stocks
so all of my enemies will become rich.
No headstone to mark where my body rots,
just my initials penciled on a couple of bricks.
When My Heart Stops
everyone on Earth benefits.
By Darryl Walker Jr
(c) Copyright 2016-2017
Zone of Non-being 
September 7, 2016 at 8:59 pm
That poem is thought-provoking and sad. Did you take the photograph as well? I haven’t written poetry in years; I’m a little more into photography right now.
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September 7, 2016 at 9:23 pm
Thanks for the support. I did not take that photo, I found it on Google images. I haven’t written poetry in a while, either. My brain was re-wired by being in graduate school; my writing voice is different. I’m getting back around to it!
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September 7, 2016 at 9:26 pm
Well good job.
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September 9, 2016 at 7:29 pm
Wow, this was very powerful and well written.
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September 9, 2016 at 7:44 pm
Thank you for the feedback and support! =)
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September 14, 2016 at 12:12 pm
That moved me to tears.
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September 14, 2016 at 12:17 pm
Wow. I was in tears when I wrote it. I am glad it impacted you.
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September 14, 2016 at 12:20 pm
Oh yes. Thank you for such wonderful heartfelt poetry.
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September 15, 2016 at 6:00 pm
Surely, this won’t be true. Nevertheless, it’s great, as all your other poems are. 🙂
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September 15, 2016 at 6:12 pm
Aww – thank you so much! I am beginning to blush lol. Your poems are awesome as well. Thank you for taking the time to read through them and engage!
I look forward to more work from you! =D
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September 15, 2016 at 6:16 pm
Haha, my posts are all random.. All of a sudden I write, and sometimes, I stop writing for a long while.. totally depending upon the mood. But you have a great blog – great thoughts that make such a blog. Keep writing!
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September 15, 2016 at 6:46 pm
Random is good! I prefer random as opposed to structured. It is good that you write depending upon your mood – that way the writing is filled with passion and not forced.
Thank you so much, I will certainly keep writing! Speak again soon =D
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September 16, 2016 at 3:16 am
Sure 🙂
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February 10, 2017 at 5:38 pm
I always wonder how many people will be at my funeral. -Bruce
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February 11, 2017 at 12:51 am
Me too! I often imagine myself as a ghost taking attendance.
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February 17, 2017 at 5:46 pm
I seriously thought I was strange for doing that until now
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February 10, 2017 at 6:35 pm
I have never read anything of yours that was mediocre. I am glad your voice is not silenced. I absolutely love this one!
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February 10, 2017 at 10:01 pm
Wow. I am humbled. Thank you Shelby! That means a lot. I’ll return to this message whenever I feel down!
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February 17, 2017 at 5:47 pm
Shelby’s comment reminds me of our discussion today about quality vs quantity. I agree with her 100%
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February 10, 2017 at 6:35 pm
Powerful and yet so sad. What kind of life to lead…
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February 10, 2017 at 10:00 pm
Thank you Marquessa! Glad you felt this one ..
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February 10, 2017 at 8:43 pm
Ugh, you almost got me but I am typing this with a misty eye. Misty, not wet!
Painfully beautiful. Definitely felt the weight of this.
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February 10, 2017 at 9:46 pm
Lol! Yeah, there was a lot going on when I wrote this. I found it therapeutic to “confront” death and my own shortcomings as opposed to repressing both of them.
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February 10, 2017 at 11:11 pm
That takes so much courage. Thank you for sharing.
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February 12, 2017 at 8:47 am
Thank you for reading 😀
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February 10, 2017 at 9:22 pm
When my heart stops. At first I thought this was going to be a love poem. Then I kept reading. I read it four times before I realized why it impacted me. But it didn’t make me cry, it made me laugh my crazy laugh. You know, where you laugh and no one else in the audience laughs. Because I saw Truth. When my father died in 1950 at age 60, my mother who was 27, buried him with no headstone. I did not find this out until 2007 when I finally visited the grave as research on my book. When I asked my mom why there was no headstone she said she just didn’t put one. (Frankly, I think she was too busy partying with the money he left her). Anywho, I planted a ficus plant, (even though I know there is no longer a body there) where the headstone should be and now the plant has grown into a huge tree with roots growing everywhere. If I looked at this as a sad event it would truly be depressing. Obviously, this was a great poem. Thank you for posting it. It sent me on a journey in my head.
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February 10, 2017 at 9:56 pm
Wow. That made my day. Thank you for sharing your story with me. That is deep – I can certainly see the connection. I am glad this poem rang true and facilitated that train of thought for you. But most of all – I am happy that you laughed at this. Truth be told: I wanted this to be somewhat satirical to somewhat offset the depressing aspects. Thank you for reading and commenting =D
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February 14, 2017 at 12:08 am
“To loosen her my wedding band into her fist” Wow just amazing
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February 14, 2017 at 1:16 am
Thanks for the support bro. I was hoping someone would highlight that part!
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February 17, 2017 at 5:48 pm
This is what got me too 😦
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February 17, 2017 at 1:08 am
That darn Darryl. You did this on purpose. Sad face 😦 Good stuff!!
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February 17, 2017 at 3:39 am
Hey Alia! *powt* yes, very sad – felt good to get this off my chest. Thanks 😀
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February 17, 2017 at 5:50 pm
This is heartbreaking and yet so beautifully written. My sentiments have already been expressed by everyone above so there’s not much left for me to say. But I have always feared my death because of the impact I feel I have no made (the niche). Sometimes I feel more love here than in the “real word.” Beautiful piece Darryl – surely this won’t be your story.
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February 17, 2017 at 7:07 pm
Thank you Josie! That is what I fear most about death as well – not leaving anything “memorable” behind. And not having a niche surely is not your story.
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February 18, 2017 at 11:45 am
🙂 thank you for that. If only my niche was as clear to me lol. I think we fear most of the same things. You’re like a male version of myself in a LOT of ways!
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February 18, 2017 at 1:58 pm
=D sentiments exactly! that’s why we get along so well!
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February 20, 2017 at 9:23 pm
Hey – Josie from the Show Me – take this quiz right quick. Please. Its fun. You’ll see why I am asking after! Let me know your results!
http://www.zimbio.com/quiz/O-p3RY-2k8X/Shakespeare+Character
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February 22, 2017 at 11:58 am
I am Juliet! “A rare thing, a level-headed romantic championing love and logic in a world that often seems to forget both. You listen to both your head and your heart, confident in your ability to find happiness in even the darkest times.” Welp! Sounds about right. lmao
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February 22, 2017 at 12:03 pm
Interesting! From what I know of you, that sounds and feels right!
Dig this … it said I am Beatrice: “Feisty and headstrong, you are a quick-witted force of nature. While you have a tough, cynical outer shell, underneath it all, you are intensely loyal, protective, and sensitive. It just takes the right person to get to the real you”. That’s definitely accurate lol … as we were saying with the masks
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February 22, 2017 at 2:22 pm
haha! YES it definitely sounds like you! And mirrors our conversation about masks. Maybe you’re the one wearing a mask then 🙂
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February 21, 2017 at 7:59 pm
Great poem but damn this is depressing. lol It makes me think of The Beatles’ classic, Eleanor Rigby. One of my favorites and that’s depressing too. I guess some of the best art is not the happiest.
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February 23, 2017 at 12:12 am
Lol, thank you! I had to look up that Beatles song … I see the likeness! You are right, some of the best art is not the happiest. I feel this way about Mary J Blige: her best tunes are those struggle/break-up anthems (“I was your lover and your secretary…”)
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February 23, 2017 at 8:38 pm
I was just listening to Not Gon’ Cry yesterday and I was getting my life! I love sad Mary. Sad Mary makes some awesome music. lol My Life is one of my favorites and I know it was during one of the roughest times in her life. Funny how sometimes the more pain we’re in, the more creative we can be. I guess that’s a consolation prize for going through the hardships of life.
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February 25, 2017 at 11:00 am
Yes! Last I heard, she was going through a divorce. I am sorry it is happening to her – but seeing as I can do absolutely nothing to change it, I might as well look forward to her next album *shrugs shoulders* lol.
Have you read Sylvia Plath’s poetry? She suffered from depression and ended up killing herself – and I think that is precisely why her poems are so potent. My favorite piece by her is this: http://www.neuroticpoets.com/plath/poem/madgirl/
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February 25, 2017 at 8:59 pm
You ain’t right… although I was thinking the same thing. lol I’ve heard of that name but I don’t know if I read her poems before. Just read your favorite piece and wow. “I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead. I lift my lids and all is born again. (I think I made you up inside my head.)” What!? Talk about bars.
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February 24, 2017 at 4:32 am
Very well written and quite sad. Knowing that someone actually feels that way makes my heart weep for them. I visualized every line….profound, indeed.
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February 24, 2017 at 7:34 am
Thank you! I am glad you were able to empathize!
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April 18, 2017 at 3:43 pm
Powerful words, respect my man.
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April 21, 2017 at 9:12 am
Thank you!
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April 19, 2017 at 8:44 am
Great lines
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April 21, 2017 at 9:13 am
Thank you!
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June 10, 2017 at 7:15 pm
This is a great example of poignant and concise poetry.
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June 13, 2017 at 9:34 am
Thank you Ana =D
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