Burial At Sea Poem: "Masterpiece"

In this burial at sea poem, I let my imagination wander into a first-person perspective. As far as I can tell, no one really knows what's beyond death's impenetrable door, so your guess is as good as mine.

What if death is nothing more than what we imagine it to be? What if we continue from where we left off when we cross that proverbial threshold?

So many questions, so little answers. So much to contemplate.

Masterpiece

They released me today
Slid me into the sea
Wooden box and all
The remains of me
Their figures are in shadow now
As I gaze up at the boat
No longer living
Yet still afloat
I wave goodbye without knowing
Where I am going
What's more
I've crossed death's door
Not a bit like I've imagined
Or what others said it would be
More like a blank canvas
In a sea of overwhelming colors
I pick up my palette and brush
No need to rush
As I'll be painting this masterpiece for eternity

© 2025 Aerwyna. All rights reserved.

Take A Few Moments To Reflect

Beneath The Surface

I rarely set out to define exactly what a poem means...

You may see wistfulness here. Or serendipitous hope. Or obscure realism cloaked in fantasy.

Whatever you find in it becomes part of the poem.

The Feeling Of This Poem

This poem carries quiet reverie, tranquil floating, and an eternal creative beginning rather than an ending.

It may resonate with those who have recently lost someone, or those who spend time reflecting on death and its meaning.

A Quiet Pause

If you'd like to linger a while longer:

• Which image stayed with you?
• What do you imagine death to be?
• What would you paint on your blank canvas?
  
  
  
  

When You Might Return To This Poem

You might reach for this poem:

• as comfort for a loved one's passing
• for philosophical reflection
• when fearing the unknown
  
  
  
  

FAQs

Can I share your poems with others?

Yes! I love when my poems resonate enough that you want to share them. For personal use—like including a poem in a letter, greeting card or journal—you're absolutely welcome to do so. If you'd like to share online, I'd appreciate if you share a brief excerpt (a few lines) along with my name and a link back to this page, rather than copying the full poem. This helps other readers discover my work, which means the world to me as an independent writer.

Can I use your poems for commercial purposes?

Commercial use, adaptations, publications, or reproducing full poems requires my permission. Please contact me if you're interested in using my work in these ways—I'm happy to discuss it.

What if I just want to quote a line or two?

Brief excerpts with attribution are fine, especially if you're discussing the poem, using it for inspiration, or sharing what moved you. Just please credit me by name and link back to my site when sharing online.

Thanks for connecting with my poetry!