No man is an island,
entire of itself;
every man is a piece of the continent,
a part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less,
as well as if a promontory were,
as well as if a manor of thy friend’s
or of thine own were.
Any man’s death diminishes me,
because I am involved in mankind;
and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
it tolls for thee.
John Donne 1572 – 1631
I love that poem, but with the title, it sounds as though you’ve lost someone dear to you. I hope that’s not the case, although that does come to us all.
janet
I believe this poem is a response to the mass shooting in New Zealand.
Any man’s death diminishes me,
because I am involved in mankind
Yes, Swarn. Spot on.
OK, thanks. I hadn’t heard about that yet. Terrible no matter where it happens. The poem applies to so many different situations.
It does indeed. Brexit is another contender presently on my mind.
Hello Janet. Thank you for your kind concern. It isn’t my personal loss very fortunately. I posted Donne on account of the terrorist shooting in 2 mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.
It’s certainly a loss for all of us, Tish. I wasn’t aware of that shooting yet, although that type of situation has become all too common in the world.
I just finished reading about the shootings. Horrific!
It is truly appalling.
A wonderful poem, Tish. Thanks for sharing.
“Any man’s death diminishes me,
because I am involved in mankind”
Can’t say it better than that.
My feelings exactly.
No man is an island, entire of itself;… so true.
Thank you for the poem, Tish.
‘thus doth fear insinuate itself in every affliction of the body’ Donne
And there’s the rub – fear. It has much to answer for.
We are all in this together.
I agree.
Thank you for this poem Tish it’s so apt at the moment. xxx
I love this poem. Well done for what happened in NZ.
And me, too.
Heartening reminder, Tish.
Cold comfort though it may be, the poet also commanded death to be not proud for death itself will die….
Best, Sarah
Thank you for that, Sarah.
Thanks, Tish. Very moving.
You wonder what to post… what to say… after situations like this, Tish. Sadly, this fits the bill.
You echo my thoughts entirely, Jo.
Thank you, Tish.