Gone But Not Forgotten

He was the love of her life…
                     but her friends keep telling her it’s time to move on
                          after all  - it’s been six years since he passed away...

          why can't they see her grief is still so raw.


                   She can’t bear to part with any of his clothes …
           each night she cocoons herself in a blanket
                              that she’d crocheted using one of his old sweaters.


                                 A torrent of tears start to fall
                    as she imagines herself wrapped in his loving arms
                                she knows in her heart, she will never find love again.


Grief in 12 lines or less Poetry Contest

Sponsored by Line Gauthier

04/24/21
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Kauffman Avatar
April 30, 2021 at 9:46 AM
So sad Jan. One can feel the pain of loss through your images. I love the lines about knitting a blanket from an old sweater - part of the process. So well done my friend - reaches right into the heart of grieving and compassion. We feel with her. Congratulations! Hugs :)"
Poet Avatar
April 28, 2021 at 3:36 PM
Back with my congratulations Jan, a very good deserved win, have a great evening
Ricci Avatar
April 28, 2021 at 8:02 AM
Hello Jan. Yes, its been a long time. Although this is a contest entry your words stand on their own and do. Your words are also right in that a loss is a loss and deep and there is no time line on recovering or healing. Yes, the loss anger depression only grows. Time is not a healer. Best of luck with the contest. May this day find you well.
Edmonds  Avatar
April 28, 2021 at 2:40 AM
Back with my congratulations Jan, a well deserved win... Belle xx
Allison Avatar
April 30, 2021 at 2:57 PM
Thanks Belle:-) hugs jan xx
Evans Avatar
April 27, 2021 at 8:43 PM
Beautiful! Congrats.
Allison Avatar
April 30, 2021 at 2:57 PM
Thanks Marilene:-) hugs jan xx
Krutsinger Avatar
April 26, 2021 at 7:42 AM
This is so well done; I feel her grief. You are correct; it cannot be hurried, and no one can fully feel anyone else's.
Allison Avatar
April 30, 2021 at 2:56 PM
Thanks Caren:-) hugs jan xx
Rodrigues Avatar
April 26, 2021 at 4:46 AM
Grief cannot be hurried. It took me four years to reconcile my Uncle’s death. Still brings me to tears when I talk about it. Now my mom is in heaven and the tears are stuck...a drought, a hole — a seed waiting to be comforted. Hugs-a-million, sweet Jan.
Allison Avatar
April 30, 2021 at 2:56 PM
aww Kim thinking of you my friend, hugs Jan xx
Ashley Avatar
April 25, 2021 at 7:04 AM
Jan, your poetic pen expresses grief so with potent poignancy. A sad beauty filled with lost love imagery. Best wishes for a win and warmest wishes for you.. ~Susan
Allison Avatar
April 30, 2021 at 2:55 PM
Thanks Susan:-) hugs jan xx
Laurie Avatar
April 24, 2021 at 6:50 PM
Hello Jan ... a very sad situation indeed. Shows what grief can do and how it can affect some - thank you Jan - Lindsay
Allison Avatar
April 30, 2021 at 2:55 PM
Thanks Lindsay:-) hugs jan xx
Mcconnell Avatar
April 24, 2021 at 1:36 PM
A nice piece on the difficult subject of grief Jan, no two persons are the same in dealing with it so we all must give each one love and understanding. Blessings, Gordon
Allison Avatar
April 30, 2021 at 2:54 PM
Thanks Gordon:-) hugs Jan xx
Leffanta Avatar
April 24, 2021 at 11:21 AM
Well said, Jan. My son and daughter adored their mother, but were quite different handling their grief. Aloha! Rico
Allison Avatar
April 30, 2021 at 2:53 PM
I guess we all grieve in different ways hugs jan xx
Y. Avatar
April 24, 2021 at 8:25 AM
WoW! Jan, You've penned such a well-written poem on grief. There is no time limit for grief; in my opinion, there are different stages and levels. I think grief lasts your whole life, because like you expressed so well, our loved ones are never forgotten. One has to go living without their loved one, but that grief is still deep inside one’s soul. Congrats in advance, my friend. Have a great day and weekend:-) Alexis
Allison Avatar
April 27, 2021 at 2:21 PM
Thanks Alexis:-) hugs Jan xx
Michael Avatar
April 24, 2021 at 8:14 AM
At least now for now...Enjoyed it. All the best.
Allison Avatar
April 27, 2021 at 2:20 PM
Thanks Arturo:-) hugs Jan xx
Edmonds  Avatar
April 24, 2021 at 6:29 AM
Beautiful Jan, as in your words and the song by Nat King Cole love is unforgettable... Belle xx
Allison Avatar
April 27, 2021 at 2:20 PM
Thanks Belle:-) I thought the song fitted the poem so well:-) hugs Jan xx
Daniel Avatar
April 24, 2021 at 2:05 AM
Deeply emotive, Jan, well written for the contest:) grief can be a great period of pain...you have brought it out well:)
Allison Avatar
April 27, 2021 at 2:19 PM
Thanks Jo:-) hugs jan xx
Buhagiar Avatar
April 24, 2021 at 2:04 AM
Ican relate with this. My wife's clothes are still in her wardrobe.
Allison Avatar
April 27, 2021 at 2:18 PM
I can understand this so much Victor, hugs Jan xx
Marcum Wong Avatar
April 23, 2021 at 10:08 PM
Grief has his grip tighter on some souls than others as we all grieve differently. I can relate. Your poem shares that pain and sorrow of loss with great emotion Jan. A very lovely entry. Blessings xxoo PS I forgot to Thank you for the video of Mr. Cole, one of my favorite singers.
Allison Avatar
April 27, 2021 at 2:18 PM
It's based on the experiences with friends who are still grieving one lost her husband over ten years ago - he was the love of her life and she will never move on hugs jan xx
Poet Avatar
April 23, 2021 at 8:39 PM
Excellently penned verses Jan, well done, good luck in the contest, have a great night
Allison Avatar
April 27, 2021 at 2:15 PM
Thanks Lasaad:-) hugs Jan xx
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace