"I don't look back" ... remember the rest of this poem?

November 16, 2008 5:04 PM

Longshot poetry filter: My grandfather's memorial service is tomorrow and my grandmother would like a poem to be read. She thinks the title was "No Regrets" and the first line is "I don't look back..."

These are the only things she remembers about the poem. Ring a bell for anyone?

posted by drumcorpse to writing & language (8 comments total)

Twilight Time?
posted by fish tick at 5:31 PM on November 16, 2008

Could it be Edith Paif's song, "Non Regrette Rien"?

No! No regrets
No! I will have no regrets
All the things
That went wrong
For at last I have learned to be strong

No! No regrets
No! I will have no regrets
For the grief doesn't last
It is gone
I've forgotten the past

And the memories I had
I no longer desire
Both the good and the bad
I have flung in a fire
And I feel in my heart
That the seed has been sown
It is something quite new
It's like nothing I've known

No! No regrets
No! I will have no regrets
All the things that went wrong
For at last I have learned to be strong

No! No regrets
No! I will have no regrets
For the seed that is new
It's the love that is growing for you
posted by Riverine at 5:55 PM on November 16, 2008

Is she very religious? This poem sort of fits the bill.
posted by jessamyn at 6:17 PM on November 16, 2008

There's a poem that my greatgrandmother read at ggfather's funeral. Not the one you're looking for, but I thought I'd offer this bittersweetness.

Should You Go First
By A.K. Rowswell

Should you go first and I remain
To walk the road alone,
I'll live in memory's garden, dear,
With happy days we've known.
In spring I'll wait for roses red,
When fades the lilac blue,
In early fall, when brown leaves call
I'll catch a glimpse of you.

Should you go first and I remain
For battles to be fought,
Each thing you've touched along the way
Will be a hallowed spot.
I'll hear your voice, I'll see you smile,
Though blindly I may grope,
The memory of your helping hand
Will buoy me on with hope.

Should you go first and I remain
To finish with the scroll,
No length'ning shadows shall creep in
To make this life seem droll.
We've known so much of happiness,
We've had our cup of joy,
And memory is one gift of God
That death can not destroy.

Should you go first and I remain,
One thing I'd have you to do:
Walk slowly down that long, lone path,
For soon I'll follow you.
I'll want to know each step you take,
That I may walk the same,
For someday down that lonely road
You'll hear me call your name.
posted by reflecked at 6:33 PM on November 16, 2008 [7 favorites has favorites]

Maybe this one, though the first line isn't right...
posted by Chairboy at 6:36 PM on November 16, 2008

Holy wow, thanks Jess! That's the one. My Grammy sends her thanks.
Also thank you to everyone else who suggested poems and songs.
posted by drumcorpse at 7:03 PM on November 16, 2008

I'm really glad I could help your grandma and I'm sorry about your grandfather.
posted by jessamyn at 7:27 PM on November 16, 2008

Jessamyn rules.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 11:38 PM on November 16, 2008