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What Do I Say

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How do I comfort a friend who loses the love of her life? My words feel so small, smaller than my tears. Her heart is torn in two and my thoughts of condolence emerge fractured and insignificant. What do I say? when words aren't enough silence presence listening ears let her know you care [haibun] written 3 Aug 2020

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Line Gauthier

Date: 10/23/2020 8:44:00 PM

very touching, John ~

John Watt
Date: 10/24/2020 1:11:00 AM

Thank you, Line.

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 8/14/2020 1:19:00 PM

That’s the bottom line. Let them know you care.

John Watt
Date: 8/14/2020 1:23:00 PM

Yup. Took me a long time to learn. Thanks for the visit, kind friend.

Alkas Poetry

Date: 8/14/2020 4:09:00 AM

Touching, sensitive, heartfelt... words can be part os a cure... very well salute, alkas

John Watt
Date: 8/14/2020 10:35:00 AM

Thank you for your thoughtfulness with this comment, Alkas.

Aditi Mishra

Date: 8/13/2020 6:59:00 PM

Dear friend, your words move me deeply. Your pick up the most honest emotions and carve them like a gentle touch that portrays the pain and helplessness of finding words to comfort a friend for such a loss. I can relate to this personally. Congratulations on your win :)

John Watt
Date: 8/13/2020 10:52:00 PM

So grateful for your friendship and frequent words that lift my spirits. I appreciate your thoughts and know what it feels like to struggle for words of comfort. Blessings my friend.

Jan Allison

Date: 8/13/2020 10:34:00 AM

i am moved to tears by your touching poem John, just being there to listen to someone dealing with their grief is so important many congrats on your win:-) hugs Jan xx

John Watt
Date: 8/13/2020 10:48:00 AM

Aw, what a wonderful thing to say, dear Jan. I feel clumsy with my mouth, but I've learned to shut it and just be close and available. Thank you for your beautiful note today. Hugs ~ John

Evelyn Judy Buehler

Date: 8/13/2020 9:30:00 AM

John, your haibun is so touching, heartfelt and meaningful. When words aren't enough, showing that you care truly helps. Wonderful sentiments. Congratulations.

John Watt
Date: 8/13/2020 9:36:00 AM

Thank you, Evelyn. I could teach a master's course on putting my foot in my mouth. Less is more when it comes to words, but presence and availability is important. Appreciate your visit and poetry friendship ~ John

Jenna Logan

Date: 8/13/2020 5:11:00 AM

I love the sentiments of your Haibun, John. In such a circumstance, all that friend needs to read is your signature on the bottom of the letter. Congrats on your HM, John.

John Watt
Date: 8/13/2020 9:32:00 AM

Thank you for the kind affirmation, Jenna. Your thoughtful comment is much appreciated ~ John

Emile Pinet

Date: 8/12/2020 11:50:00 AM

You did a wonderful job here John. I read it several times and it slowly came alive for me. The compassion, insecurity and pain of reality came through your words and into my heart. This poem is perfect in structure and the story line flows with ease. Good Job my friend, Emile.

John Watt
Date: 8/12/2020 1:40:00 PM

Thank you, my friend. Your careful consideration means so much to me, as do your encouraging words. Enjoy your day ~ John

Sam Kauffman

Date: 8/12/2020 9:41:00 AM

"Fractured words of condolence" such a beautiful line, my friend. They perfectly describe our desire to comfort yet address our feeling that our words are inadequate. Lovely haibun - Congratulations!

John Watt
Date: 8/12/2020 9:55:00 AM

Thank you dearly, my friend. Your words are always a gift. God bless your day ~ John

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 8/5/2020 9:51:00 PM

In the not saying, just being, you are giving her the best gift - the gift of silence and listening. Well done!

John Watt
Date: 8/6/2020 12:04:00 PM

Thank you, Caren.

Janice Canerdy

Date: 8/4/2020 6:28:00 PM

Very moving and descriptive, John. Janice

John Watt
Date: 8/4/2020 6:32:00 PM

Kind of you, Janice. Have a great day, my friend.

Panagiota Romios

Date: 8/4/2020 8:06:00 AM

Best wishes John. *** This is heartfelt and true Pangie xx

John Watt
Date: 8/4/2020 6:31:00 PM

Thank you for the friendly visit, my good friend. Hope you're doing well.

Eve Roper

Date: 8/3/2020 7:06:00 PM

profound verse, John, there really is nothing you can say... just show your presence and your there for her.

John Watt
Date: 8/3/2020 7:43:00 PM

Thanks, dear friend. Sometimes less is more. Learned that the hard way. Hugs ~ John

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/3/2020 5:46:00 PM

What an amazing thing you did by writing your haibun for connie. Wonderful, John.

John Watt
Date: 8/3/2020 6:12:00 PM

Thanks, Andrea. Connie deserves a ton of love. I've always been a little thick-tongued when it came to offering condolences, so this has a bit of autobiography in its lines.

Alexis Y.

Date: 8/3/2020 2:00:00 PM

Hi John, It was touching and thoughtful that you penned this for Connie. I’m sure Connie would appreciate this very much. Best wishes in the contest. Have a great day- Alexis

John Watt
Date: 8/3/2020 2:29:00 PM

Connie has meant so much to Soup for so long with her poetry, comments, and friendship. I hope she knows just how beloved she is. Thank you for your comment, Alexis and hope you are having a lovely day ~ John

John Hamilton

Date: 8/3/2020 1:27:00 PM

Very kind of you to write this John, I'm sure Connie will love it!

John Watt
Date: 8/3/2020 2:25:00 PM

Thanks for your thoughtful comment, John. I hope Connie knows she has many friends at Soup who care for her, though we are not able to show it in person.

V. Deepa

Date: 8/3/2020 1:23:00 PM

Oh..such a touching poem John Sir, It's a great thing to empathise and being there for one another at the time of loss. Sometimes untill &unless we step into their shoes we may not understand their emotions. You've wonderfully expressed.Shows you are a caring soul through most of your poems sir:-) Keep inspiring with your lovely writing's.My best wishes to you for the contest. Have a great day.Take care.Warmest regards:-)

John Watt
Date: 8/3/2020 2:24:00 PM

You're very correct, Deepa. It wasn't until I lost my father to cancer in 2000 that I realized how compassionate people were able to express their condolences is simple and quiet ways, showing how much they cared for my mother and family. It was eye-opening for me. Thank you for your meaningful visit, my friend. ~ John

Ilene Bauer

Date: 8/3/2020 12:36:00 PM

this is perfect! i think she'll be very touched, john...

John Watt
Date: 8/3/2020 1:14:00 PM

Thank you, ilene. I hope you are having a wonderful day ~ John

Silent One

Date: 8/3/2020 12:27:00 PM

It's not easy... Sometimes you just have to listen to them... Let them know you are there for them and you have said that in your poem....

John Watt
Date: 8/3/2020 1:14:00 PM

You're right, SO. It's hard and there are many missteps that could be taken, but just being there and being available is often the best. Thank you for your lovely words ~ John