The Passed Away
People don't pass away.
They die. Like John Lennon died.
Like Jimi Hendix died. Like
George Harrison died.
Like Keith Moon and
Freddie Mercury died.
Like Princess Grace
and Princess Dianna died
Died is forever. Passed away
Is ambiguous. Dead isn't
polite. Dead is actual,
beyond redemption and
recovery. Passed away
is bullshit, an avoidance,
polite, but deadlier than death.
They die. Like John Lennon died.
Like Jimi Hendix died. Like
George Harrison died.
Like Keith Moon and
Freddie Mercury died.
Like Princess Grace
and Princess Dianna died
Died is forever. Passed away
Is ambiguous. Dead isn't
polite. Dead is actual,
beyond redemption and
recovery. Passed away
is bullshit, an avoidance,
polite, but deadlier than death.
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Author's Note
Polite but deadly, the euphemism.
Other stories by Gary Hardaway
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You do blunt well.
Deadlier than death. **
Thank you, Matt.
Thank you, Rachna.
Dead is so final.
Or worse, he passed. Thanks for waving the flag of truth. *
*
I told Stephanie not to say I passed or passed away. I said, "say I died." She said she'd say, "he kicked the bucket." I said that's OK with me.
Thank you, Steve.
Thank you, Kitty.
Thank you, Daniel.
Thank you, s-h.
*, Gary. This fine poem peels away the euphemisms. "Death be not proud,"
Thank you, David.