with heavy heart
beside you sat
to walk the last night.
The last night ravaged
Your little soul.
No power had I,
but to share the sorrow.
The sorrow mounted
with gasping breath.
My tears filled up
Your heaving chest.
Your heaving chest
with aching thrusts.
I smoothed the ruffles
with Reiki's trust.
Trust you offered
with pleading eyes.
I feel I faltered
and cannot stem my cries.
My cries drip from me
in unending stream
For the breath has left you
no more to dream.
To dream, to dream
that's what's left twould seem
So I light a candle
and hold vigil bereaved.
~~~
One Shot Wednesday |
The holidays is also a time that brings out our grief and loss. My dad died right before Christmas as did my grandfather.
ReplyDeletethanks for the beautiful vigil
and for graciously sharing with One Shot
moon Smiles
A heartbreakingly beautiful write. I know you endured it again to write this. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteugh. this one stings a bit...and i am sorry...beautifully done..
ReplyDelete((k))
@Moon: Yes Leslie, holidays are a time of cheer, but also remembrances of ones no longer there. I am sorry that you have had so much loss so close to the holidays. It is hard enough to deal with the holiday let alone have to deal with your grief twice over. Peace to you over the festive season.
ReplyDelete@Suzi: Wasn't sure if I wanted to put it here, as you are right Suzi. Loss is a big lump of denial that you cannot swallow down. For me to embrace it and flow with it helps it to settle into soul and wash away the barbs of grief though.
ReplyDeleteThanks Brian. I appreciate. Hugs to you.
ReplyDeletethe holidays...in all there glory...can bear so much too the sorrow...what beauty this life, that to lose it or a piece of it...our dearest....blessings to you and yours...this season...bkm
ReplyDeleteThis is heartbreaking to read, Katherine. I can only imagine how difficult it was to write...
ReplyDeleteThis time of year is can be such a sharp juxtapositon of joy and sadness...
My husband's brother passed on New Year's Eve...the celebration of a new year has never been the same since 1998...
Beautiful and painful and brave.
ReplyDeleteHugs, darling.
xo
Katherine...
ReplyDeleteThat was one of the bravest things that I've ever read...G
So much strength. And beautiful poetry.
ReplyDeleteplaces
oh katherine - this touched my heart - i cannot even imagine how much this must hurt and you are so brave, writing it down. i have high respect for what you've done with this poem which is far more than a poem
ReplyDeleteI think we so often find sadness and grief during the holidays because there needs to be some balance to all the festivities. A touching and thoughtful One Shot.
ReplyDeleteSolid in its sorrow.
ReplyDeleteThis is so sad. Losing a loved one right before the holidays means that every year thereafter, you feel the loss again. I know how hard that it. I lost my mother 10 days before Christmas when I was nine years old.
ReplyDeleteLovely and heartbreaking piece.
@BKM: Holidays remind of those with us & those not around the table. Tis bittersweet to have known the love, but now just in memory
ReplyDelete@Talon: Grief is very powerful and has an effect that can last into the future seemingly forever. Time helps to soften loss, but anniversaries always make them fresh again. Thank you for visiting and I sympathize with your loss.
@Me: I Hadn't thought brave, but thank you. Hugs to you as well
ReplyDelete@G-Man: You echo dear C. You are sweet and I thank you from the bottom of my heart Galen.
@Gautami: Thank you Gautami. It does take strength to sit with a dying soul, but I had to. I would want someone to be by my side in the same circumstance to gain strength from their presence when I know my time is done. It is a difficult gift to offer anyone.
ReplyDelete@Claudia: It was written through tear-stained eyes on a wet page. I have always found that the pen is my voice that I need to speak and the paper is my heart receiving. I am honoured that so many are touched by my work and thank you for your kindnesses.
ReplyDelete@Eric: The holidays are definitely full of mixed emotions. I always try to remember that the empty seats are still filled with our loved ones memories.
ReplyDelete@Steve: Thanks Steve.
Very cool how each stanza leads, or drips, into the one that follows. Extremely sad & beautiful poem, in terms of arousing emotion in the read, and in what is revealed. Bravo
ReplyDelete@dustus: Thank you so much Dustus. and thank you for being a part of the Oneshot crew & providing us with this wonderful forum.
ReplyDelete