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The Dash

Author: Linda Ellis

This Page Includes: Full Verses of the Poem in Text. A Recording of the Poem (Audio). A Free PDF Download for reading purposes. Free Editable Google Doc Download if you wish to make changes or to personalise the poem. The page also includes what the poem is about, structure of poem and explaining the best parts.

The Dash Poem Verses

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end
He noted that first came her date of her birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But she said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years
For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not how much we own;
The cars, the house, the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard.
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?

Audio Recording

Please note the audio recording may not exactly match the text version as 'The Dash' can be tailored/personalised

Download Poem

Please note the audio recording may not exactly match the text version as 'The Dash' can be tailored/personalised

Donwload As PDF

Personalised Poem

Would you like to customise this poem? You have the option to personalise it by accessing the provided link, which will direct you to Google Docs. From there, you can download the poem ‘Memories’ to your personal Google Docs account or Microsoft Word where you will be able to edit the poem however you want.

Personalised Poem

About the poem

The poem "The Dash" by Linda Ellis is a reflection on the importance of how we live our lives, as represented by the dash between the dates of our birth and death on a tombstone. The poem suggests that what matters most is not the material possessions we accumulate, but rather how we live and love, and how we spend our time on earth. The poem encourages the reader to reflect on their life and how they can make the most of the time they have.

The poem can be used for a funeral as it highlights the importance of a life well-lived and the legacy we leave behind. It can be personalized by reflecting on the life and legacy of the deceased and how they spent their dash. The poem can serve as a reminder to celebrate the joys and accomplishments of the deceased, while also reflecting on the lessons they taught us and the impact they had on our lives.

Alternatively, the poem can be enjoyed as a philosophical reflection on the nature of life and the importance of living a meaningful existence. It encourages the reader to reflect on the way they live their own life and to consider the ways they can make a positive impact on the world around them. The poem can inspire the reader to live more intentionally and to focus on what truly matters in life.

The Structure of Poem

The poem is structured in four stanzas, each with varying lengths and a consistent AABB rhyme scheme. The poem begins with the speaker telling a story about a man who spoke at the funeral of his friend and emphasized the importance of the dash between the dates on her tombstone. The dash represents the time spent alive on earth, and what matters most is how we live and love during that time. The poem then encourages the reader to think about what they would like to change in their lives, to slow down and appreciate the true and real things, to be less quick to anger, and to love the people in our lives like we've never loved before. The final stanza encourages the reader to think about their eulogy and whether they would be proud of how they spent their dash. The simple, direct language and repetitive rhyme scheme emphasize the importance of the message and make it easily memorable.

Best Quote from The Dash Poem

This is a quote from the poem The Dash by Linda Ellis

"For it matters not how much we own; The cars, the house, the cash, What matters is how we live and love And how we spend our dash."

This quote emphasizes the importance of how we live our lives and the relationships we form, rather than the material possessions we acquire. It reminds us to focus on the things that truly matter and leave a meaningful legacy behind.