Father Death Blues
Father Death Blues - meaning Summary
Death as Homecoming
The poem addresses Death as a familiar, family figure and reframes dying as a return home. The speaker greets many faces of Death—father, mother, teacher, guru—finding consolation, closure, and a release from suffering. Buddhist terms and images of breath, birth, and cessation suggest spiritual acceptance rather than fear. The tone moves from direct address to calm resignation, presenting death as transformation, relief, and reunion rather than loss.
Read Complete AnalysesHey Father Death, I'm flying home Hey poor man, you're all alone Hey old daddy, I know where I'm going Father Death, Don't cry any more Mama's there, underneath the floor Brother Death, please mind the store Old Aunty Death Don't hide your bones Old Uncle Death I hear your groans O Sister Death how sweet your moans O Children Deaths go breathe your breaths Sobbing breasts'll ease your Deaths Pain is gone, tears take the rest Genius Death your art is done Lover Death your body's gone Father Death I'm coming home Guru Death your words are true Teacher Death I do thank you For inspiring me to sing this Blues Buddha Death, I wake with you Dharma Death, your mind is new Sangha Death, we'll work it through Suffering is what was born Ignorance made me forlorn Tearful truths I cannot scorn Father Breath once more farewell Birth you gave was no thing ill My heart is still, as time will tell.
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