Poems
A Poem for the Grieving
“Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn’s rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.”
Little Snowdrop
The world may never notice
If a snowdrop doesn’t bloom,
Or even pause to wonder
If the petals fall too soon.
But every life that ever forms,
Or ever comes to be,
Touches the world in some small way
For all eternity.
The little one we long for
Was swiftly here and gone.
But the love that was then planted
Is a light that still shines on.
And though our arms are empty,
Our hearts know what to do.
Every beating of our hearts
Says that we love you.
A Father’s Grief
It must be very difficult
To be a man in grief,
Since “men don’t cry”
and “men are strong”
No tears can bring relief.
It must be very difficult
To stand up to the test,
And field the calls and visitors
So she can get some rest.
They always ask if she’s alright
And what she’s going through.
But seldom take his hand and ask,
“My friend, but how are you?”
He hears her crying in the night
And thinks his heart will break.
He dries her tears and comforts her,
But “stays strong” for her sake.
It must be very difficult
To start each day anew.
And try to be so very brave -
He lost his baby too.
Sleeping Beauty
I'll always remember your little rose lips,
Your beauty was there to your finger tips.
Your hair so soft, your china skin,
Our hearts did melt, "When does life begin?"
You looked sound asleep, so around you we did creep,
But you didn't awake, which made us weep,
You looked so beautiful, in your little dress,
We all listened quietly, while you were blessed.
The time did come to say goodbye,
The words were hard and we did cry.
So I now have a picture stuck in my head,
Of you sound asleep on my bed.
My Pain
I can see myself crying for eternity
It's hard to survive without my Bethany.
The need to be with her takes over me,
The feeling is strong, my only priority.
I am not scared, because when I die,
My pain will stop, and the need to cry.
I can hold Bethany for ever and ever.
I won't need to say goodbye, not ever.
I will kiss and cuddle her all the time.
I can talk to her, because she will be all mine.
At times I feel like I'm on my own,
So if I was with Bethany, I wouldn't be alone.
God
I feel really really angry,
You took my little baby away from me.
If I met you, I would say,
"I hate you for making me feel this way".
Nothing will ever hurt me so much.
I only want my baby to hold and touch.
To wrap her up because it's cold outside.
My anger and hate, I can no longer hide.
I want to stroke her beautiful skin.
Why did you make my life so dim?
Why did you take her? It's a waste.
She is so beautiful, you acted in haste.
Don't ever make the same mistake -
It's you who caused all this heartache.
They Don't Understand
Some people, they don't understand.
We've lost the baby, the one we'd planned.
We will never act like she didn't exist.
Do they understand our baby we miss?
We did meet our daughter, held and kissed her so much,
Stroking her skin, we remember every touch.
She was beautiful and very, very real
Hurt and pain is what we feel.
We have gifts and memories to last forever
Because our love for her will leave us never.
Bethany will always be alive to us.
Can you understand that? You really must.
So, remember just because you didn't meet her,
We will always have a special little daughter.
Not Like You
I am a mother, though not like you.
You cradle your sweet baby in your arms,
Mine are empty, but I hold him in my heart.
You brush her soft curly hair,
And tie pretty pink bows just right.
A lock of hair is tucked neatly in a book.
You pick daisies and tie them in a chain
To wear around her neck.
I cut lilacs and arrange them in a vase to set at his grave.
You look forward to dreams and plans.
I hold onto memories.
I am a mother,
Though not like you.
To Mommy From Heaven
Mommy, don't cry, 'cause God is holding my hand
And telling me everything is OK.
Mommy, God said that I will never want for anything
And I will still feel your love all the way up here.
Mommy, you should see me,
I am running and playing with God's other children.
Mommy, guess who helps watch over us while we play?
They are God's Helping Angels!
Mommy, I'm not afraid, my grandpa and grandma are here.
They came to me when it was dark and held my hands;
Then we went to God's bright light,
Where Angels were singing.
Mommy, God said, if you feel sad, to remember this;
I'll be the gentle breeze that brushes your face,
The sun is my smile and the rain is me washing away your pain.
Mommy, I have to go now.
I send you all my love on the wings of an Angel.
Love from your son, to you Mommy.
To A Stillborn Sister
How do you love a person
Who never got to be,
Or try again to see a face
You never got to see?
How do you mourn the death of one
Who never got to live,
When there's nothing to feel good about
And nothing to forgive?
I love you, little sister,
You're a person of the wind,
Free to be the memory
Of all that might have been.
I love you, little sister,
My companion of the night,
Wandering through my lonely hours,
Beautiful and bright.
What does it mean to die before
You ever can be born,
To live the lovely night of life
And never see the dawn?
Ah! My little sister,
You lived like anyone!
Life's a burst of joy and pain,
And then, like yours, it's done.
I love you, little sister,
Just as if you'd lived for years.
No more, no less, I think of you,
The angel of my tears.
