Poems of grief

A Voice Of Hope

2008-08-08T06:05:00.000-07:00

Author Unknown

From the depths of grief,
I cried "Dear Lord I am hurting so."
I could almost hear His voice
Saying, "Yes, my child, I know."

"But this is not the end", he said
There will be another day
When Heaven's portals open wide
And this world has passed away."

"I know you'll miss your loved one,
And it's hard to understand
But I know well the future,
And I will hold your hand."

I felt such peace and comfort,
Yet tears were flowing still
I prayed Him ever close to me
For His guidance, and His will

I can not say I will not cry
But hope is mine through Him
He knows the future I can't see
For tears keep vision dim.

But faith in Him is comfort
And His promises are true
The future I leave in His hands.
It is God's voice I listen to.

Stop all the clocks

2008-06-29T06:27:00.000-07:00

W.H. Auden

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aero-planes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last for ever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
For nothing now can ever come to any good

Gone but not forgotten

2008-06-26T05:57:00.000-07:00

by Kelsey Y. Sheppard

You were so full of life,
Always smiling and carefree,
Life loved you being a part of it,
And I loved you being a part of me.

You could make anyone laugh,
If they were having a bad day,
No matter how sad I was,
You could take the hurt away.

Nothing could ever stop you,
Or even make you fall,
You were ready to take on the world,
Ready to do it all.

But God decided he needed you,
So from this world you left,
But you took a piece of all of us,
Our hearts are what you kept.

Your seat is now empty,
And it's hard not to see your face,
But please always know this,
No one will ever take your place.

You left without a warning,
Not even saying good-bye,
And I can't seem to stop,
Asking the question why?

Nothing will ever be the same,
The halls are empty without your laughter,
But I know you're in Heaven,
Watching over us and looking after.

I didn't see this coming,
It hit me by surprise,
And when you left this world,
A small part of me died.

Your smile could brighten anyone's day,
No matter what they were going through,
And I know everyday for the rest of my life,
I'll be missing you.

Acceptance

2008-06-20T12:12:00.000-07:00

Glen Flowers

It isn't letting go.
It's going on.
It isn't only shadows,
And it isn't only dawn.

It isn't getting through it,
It's letting it come through me.
Not living in the darkness,
Though the darkness I can see.

It's living with the sorrow
But finding memories sweet.
It's knowing that it takes both sides
To make it all complete.

It's soaking up the sunshine
Along with the rain.
It's learning to let laughter
live side by side with pain.

It's knowing that the years
Won't change a love that's real,
Or take away the joy you brought,
or the sorrow that I feel.

It's knowing tears and laughter
Can live on the same face,
And your impression in my heart
Can never be erased.

An Ocean of Grief

2008-05-19T10:34:00.000-07:00

by Ferna Lary Mills

I cautiously watch the water as it moves along the shore
creeping closer to the sand around my feet.
Beyond the crashing waves, where the water is deepest green
the ocean mirrors the depths of my grief.

My grief is like the ocean, sorrow coming in like waves,
sometimes gentle like a ripple on the sea.
Other times it just engulfs me with crushing waves of sadness
and undertows of despair pull down on me.

Some days I wade out in it, splashing memories with my feet,
recalling days of sunshine on my face.
Stepping through the foamy edges never venturing out so far
that larger waves can threaten their embrace.

Then when I least expect it this freak of nature soaks me
in reality so painful that I fall.
The sorrow and the anger that I've fought with day to day
surge through me in a tidal free-for-all.

One day when I'm much stronger and my grief is not so new
I'll swim just like I used to do before.
I'll take pleasure in the memories,and tread water in those places
that we can't share together anymore.

Just for Today

2008-05-11T16:24:00.000-07:00

Just For Today For Bereaved Parents

Just for today I will try to live through the next 24 hours and not expect to get over my child's death, but instead learn to live with it, just one day at a time.

Just for today I will remember my child's life, not just her death, and bask in the comfort of all those treasured days and moments we shared.

Just for today I will forgive all the family and friends who didn't help or comfort me the way I needed them to.They truly did not know how.

Just for today I will smile no matter how much I hurt on the inside, for maybe if I smile a little, my heart will soften and I will begin to heal.

Just for today I will reach out to comfort a relative or friend of mychild, for they are hurting too, and perhaps we can help each other.

Just for today I will free myself from my self-inflicted burden of guilt, for deep in my heart I know if there was anything in this world I could of done to save my child from death, I would of done it.

Just for today I will honor my child's memory by doing something with another child because I know that would make my own child proud.

Just for today I will offer my hand in friendship to another bereaved parent for I do know how they feel.

Just for today when my heart feels like breaking, I will stop and remember that grief is the price we pay for loving and the only reason I hurt is becauseI had the privilege of loving so much

Just for today I will not compare myself with others. I am fortunate to be who I am and have had my child for as long as I did.

Just for today I will allow myself to be happy, for I know that I am not deserting him by living on.

Just for today I will accept that I did not die when my child did, my life did go on, and I am the only one who can make that life worthwhile once more.

Garden of Memories

2008-05-11T16:20:00.000-07:00

~GARDEN OF MEMORIES~

Strolling down your garden path, my heart takes flight
Dedicated in your memory, a breathtaking sight.
Blooms of love overflow, delicate petals aware
Of the love that is planted, with so much loving care.

A garden of your life story, your memory held near
Solace to the weary soul, I draw comfort here.
A quieting of the heart, sadness takes a respite
Testimony of love enduring, to the senses pure delight.

My gaze is drawn, to butterflies dancing in air
Such freedom and abandon, their beauty comes to share
Surrounding themselves with the nectar of the vines
Showing once again, the beauty of God's design.

Fragrance drifts gently, nature's sweet sigh
Gentle reminder, you are always near by
Love from heaven, wrapped in loving care
Speaks softly to my heart, quieter than a prayer.

In the garden of your life's reflection
Memories recalled, with each selection
Symbols of enduring love, and introspection
Blazing colors of God's perfection.

Designing and planting Cory's garden, was such a comfort to me. It made me feel as if I could still do something for my child. The garden reflects just who he is, his free and easy spirit, nothing formal about this garden's smile. We make new additions every year, and when we have it completed, it will reflect all the things that he held dear in life. We are always searching for new
and different items to add, and have even carried it over to be decorated for the different holidays.

I would suggest to any parent that is newly bereaved, to find a special way of honoring your child, something that was important to him/her in life, it will bring your child joy to be honored, and will bring comfort to you, as you continue to give meaning to your child's life even though they are no longer physically with you on earth. It will bless their heart and yours.

~Jody Seilheimer
In Memory of her son Cory Michael Griffin
January 4, 1972 ~ August 30, 1999

A Child of Mine

2008-05-11T16:18:00.001-07:00

A Child Of Mine - Author Unknown

I'll lend you for a little time, a child of mine God said,
For you to love him while he lives
and mourn for when he's dead

It may be six or seven weeks,
or thirty years, or three,
but will you, till I call him back,
take care of him for Me?

He'll bring his charm to gladden you,
and should his stay be brief,
you'll have his lovelly memories,
as solace for your grief.

I cannot promise he will stay,
since all from earth return,
but there are lessons taught down "there"
I want this child to learn.

And there, with you on earth,
this child of mine I lend,
for the many souls that he will touch
with the lessons that I send.

I looked the wide world over,
in search of people true,
and from the throngs who crowd life's way
I have selected you.

Now, will you give him all your love,
nor think the labor vain,
nor hate me when I call around,
to take him back again?

I fancy that I hear you say,
"Dear Lord thy will be done,"
for all the joy this child has brought,
all fateful risks we run.

We sheltered him with tenderness ,
we love him while we may,
and for the happiness we've known,
we shall forever grateful stay.

But you came round to call for him,
much sooner than we planned...
Dear Lord, forgive this grief,
and help us understand.