Best Grieving Poems
One lives on the memory
Never letting it go
Always holding as a memorial
The recollection within
Where only the heart knows
To celebrate a life
One longs to just forget
And let go of the pain
That reminds of a past
Filled with joy
They thought would last
Joy that is no more
Neither of them knows
Why death came to call
Or why their loved one died
Leaving them with this memory
To hold onto or forget
Without relief for the grief
One lives on the memory
While the other longs to forget
Neither of them is wrong, you see
Grief is like a very bad dream
Sometimes eased by memories
Other times, comforted by oblivion
Always touching the heart, the thoughts
The very soul who knows this place
Is all that is left of a heart who loved
And gave them the reassurance, the hope
Of a life that would forever bring sparkle
To those who touched this kind, tender soul
To remember is divine – so pleasant
Forgetting is inspired by God
Who knows that a memory can harm
The heart who loves beyond words
And listens to the heartache within
Without feeling the relieving peace…
… from One who defeats death’s dark dread
Listen to Jesus and be freed
From the sorrow and sadness
The anguish of bereavement
Listen to Jesus… He relieves
Listen to Jesus… Just believe
~~
My thoughts let go of a thousand memories,
Like faces, dates, times and places;
Yet, I can easily recall each and every detail,
On the day of your funeral.
O the grieving . . .
In the middle of a snow storm I followed,
And the wind blew back my long hair;
As we meandered down a winding cold path,
The wild storm paused in the trees.
O the weeping . . .
Snowflakes fell on me from the tangled branches,
Falling like crying tears cascading down;
I am lost and moaning in this forever, ever memory,
And now the snow drifts in the cemetery.
O the sadness . . .
A headstone is buried deep in the pure white,
And but one engraved word is revealed;
In this pristine cold, dead winter wonderland,
Only one word can be seen, mother.
O the lamenting . . .
Hidden beneath the snow . . .
I will treasure your arms last embrace mother
Till this heart stops beating . . . .
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September 24, 2014
Poetry/Verse/O The Grieving
Copyright Protected, ID 09-602-798-24
All Rights Reserved, 2014, Constance La France
Entered into the contest, A poem not entered in a contest,
sponsor, Poet Destroyer Judged 2014
Fourth Place
Melancholy me, since Kelly's gone away
Far beyond the sea, and gone from everyday
Stage by stage I've wept, but finally, I see
What I must now accept; a melancholy me
It follows and it looms, a threat to my clear sky
Though never quite consumes, insists that I comply
She's not for me to find, no path for me to track
So rain, I will not mind, if I can't have her back
Now happiness and joy, are never felt alone
The grief did not destroy, but left an undertone
It’s useless to contest, what lingers underneath
I'm trying, at my best, to walk beside the grief
And maybe I am jaded, but I am past denial
The anger has since faded; I've learned again to smile
I steady more each day, but walk the tightest rope
And mind my every sway, through threats by wind, I cope
Relentless my implore, and pointless it would seem
She went, she is no more, to see her is to dream
I begged her not leave, yet still, she did not stay
forever, now I'll grieve, my melancholy way
I'll live despite her death, as long as I embrace
What’s come of her last breath, and breathing in her place
Because it's mine to keep, it's just my cross to bear
I'll bury it down deep, but always, it is there
And though I did not choose, it's what I would prefer
For I can't bear to lose, my memory of her
The pain is in my heart, means Kelly too, shall be...
Because she’s just a part, of melancholy me.
Grieving thoughts, the places they go
What if the body, really does have a soul?
What if there is no heaven or no hell?
Why were we here for such a short spell?
Why isn't life fair? Why do we have emotions?
Why do some people care, while some have no devotions?
If tomorrow was to be, your last day and you knew it.
How would you spend your day?
Saying goodbye to those you love
Or just let it come it's way?
Perhaps vanity, would make an appearance
As you think of your legacy.
How far have you come?
How much good have you done?
Will it alter your eternity?
It would be too late, to have regrets
Although, we'd have some, I would bet.
I'm sure some would cry, those fearing to die
Convincing themselves, it was their best try.
The godless would play. The God fearing would pray.
What would you do, if it was your last day?
I'd like to think, it would be a good day
I'd walk down to the spring, watch the animals play.
Let the mist from the water, cool my face
Spend one last day with nature's grace.
My life has been spent learning lots of new things
Trying hard not think, what tomorrow might bring.
Grieving thoughts, the places they go
Searching for answers, for things I don't know.
by Daniel Turner
One step I go back, and
I see you holding my hands...
With a smile, walking down the lanes.
Yesterday I acquainted me in you
When your hands grabbed mine in your fears
With such reliance, allaying down the pains.
And Today when I stood still
I saw myself lost in despair
When my hands sorely waved you goodbye.
Another step I go back, and
I see you resting on my shoulder
With an ease, breathing out all your whimseys.
Yesterday I held myself in you
When you hugged me in your tenderness
With such peace, grieving away all the hearsays.
And Today when I fastened myself
I felt I betrayed your trust
When my arms direly opened to free your life.
Further I stepped to go back, and
I see you lying up on me abreast
With an intimacy, desiring all your fondness.
Yesterday I mellowed my soul in yours'
When you lusted me in your reverences
With such warmth, melting down all the iciness.
And Today when I lie down
I realized I burnt my essence
When my deity hollered out to coffined my soul.
Yet I wanted to go back, and
I see my shadow fading out slowly under the daylight
With such isolation, deafing all those mirthful moments.
Yesterday I was in a state of solitude
Till I acquainted with your heart and soul
With such reliance, peace and warmth, gratifying all forbearance.
And Today I am back, where I was
I raged as it was hard to believe
When my heart panicked to say you GOOD-BYE.
It was there on the ground, the ragged lone leaf
It made my heart sad, to see it fall down
Verdant green in the spring, it was meant to be born
yet, before it was weary, it had to turn brown
They have covered the ground, and the grass, shabby green
What had been brilliant green, is lost in the rain
Emerald trees in the spring, when they gave us new hope
that something exciting, had happened again
All that's green turns to brown. That we can't turn around
It's a sign that all life, must come to an end
Time is lost in a flash, just as the colors can't last
Can't the seasons slow down, is it too much to ask?
With its thin mossy veins, I hold on to the the past
and the tint of the jade, bring me sweet memories
Verdant green fades away, like the hours and days
Then dwindles away…….like a candle and flame
Green leaves turn into rust....then to ash in a flash
Just as ashes turn to ashes...and the dust turns dust
___________________________________________________
3/1/16
Contest: United Colors: Green
Sponsor: Silent One
Grieving; I weep silently
As daylilies die daily
A slow death but violently
Their leaves a yellow shaley
Feelings that are despairing
Heart pain, actual sorrow
Tears because you're uncaring
Grieving cause you killed yarrow
Actual form: Ae Freislighe (aye freshly) and Irish form
Fish are named
Lazarus and Carl Jung
they swim in the library, art studio,
that spare room
where I write, paint.
Their eyes are the size
of their stomachs.
They mouth dreams
in silence behind glass.
I stare back, envious
of graceful slow motion angel gills
immersed in a tank of tears
gathered from heaven,
capped by corporations,
lugged home from the Dollar Store
to keep the tank full….
On the other side
a breeze streams
over book shelves,
antique typewriters, canvas and paint.
Lazarus and Carl watch me
write, brush colors
and nap...
turn, twist, snore, dream,
dream more….
surreal, real,
really you? here in the deep?
Oh lovely waves of sleep. So many fish in this sea, oh, oh, yes, yes,
you, you, you …with me.
You, evaporate.
Eyes open empty and starved.
Lips spit at the sunrise
as it blinds, blocks out
infinite oceans of you.
Goodbye, Odie
My little old cat is dying.
His steps are awkward, eyes unfocussed
and he cries when he can’t see me.
I’m not sure I want to be in a world
that doesn’t have my tabby Familiar.
I am feeling widowed, again.
I’m resigned to be grieving, again
outliving another love who is dying.
There’s odd comfort in this ache, the strange familiar.
I gaze at him imploringly, in tears, unfocussed.
He is my greatest love in our small world.
He reaches out a snow- capped paw to tap me.
Here I go again, making it all about me,
fighting to accept death must happen, again.
It seems that these past years, this is my world,
sitting by the bedside of the dying,
as they gaze at unseen figures in the room, unfocussed,
but they hear them, and they smile, voices familiar.
I push my face in soft ginger fur, the scent familiar.
He always smelled like vanilla cookies, to me.
Green eyes stare into mine, they’re focussed.
I watch as death opaques the life from eyes, again.
I hear my husband’s voice as he was dying;
“I am tired. It’s time to leave this world.”
Death has been a constant in my world,
an entity with which I’m too familiar.
Such a selfish act on the part of the dying,
to love me absolutely, then leave me.
I feel the empty chest constriction of grief, again.
I clutch a lifeless body, I am unfocussed.
I can’t see through tears, unfocussed.
Odie leaves a gaping hole in my world.
I’ll struggle with condolences, again.
My grief is in my chest, pain so familiar.
The last time one I loved held on to me
while completing the evolution of dying.
No longer unfocussed, I rise to greet grief, again,
it’s now my world and it enfolds me,
my dark, familiar partner in the dance of dying.
They fled their land to find safety
instead, they found
cruel life wherever they lived
They've lost everything
because they're that way
Their aspirations crumbled
and they lost all their aspirations.
Something I strive
to be among the shattered
in honor of the broken
Thinking about all tears that would be shed
their world caves over them
their optimism turned into terror.
I wish to be with splintered people
the face-to-face challenge, people
the unseen, unheard, uninvolved
The type who strives to lurk in shadows
couldn't you trust me?
Why do they need not be alone?
Why must they weep to sleep?
All hope is lost to them
only darkness prevails
Alas, act in a purely unfazed manner
not having everything handy
They attempt to comprehend.
leaving from one paycheck to another
cheering and clapping sans graceful motions.
They weep until their eyes dry.
entirely on their own,
they can only wish for brighter days.
when they could find solace
As their emotions hardened into stones.
I am neutral about skin color
or their perceived sin
or their need to be flawless to win
I start with sight and sound
despite aspects or ground
should never be, where they're found.
Modern stupidity in innocence
stupidly that shoves them to survive
Fair pretense and pure all
illuminating blind minds
Luminousness of noble ideals
may aid the underprivileged
or bless, the broken-hearted.
To heal their wounded souls
to bestow hope to the desperate
to promise salvation
to wipe away their tears.
I am overwhelmed by such a plight
who can grasp their insight?
or even sense being near the site
they may offer love I could not bestow.
Ultimately, we are all flawed
suffocating, we stagger
costumes and snob jokes
Victims of other people's poking
no one's heart is empty.
Complexity creeps into our minds
may rush if others approach
each unspoken and broken
For the sake of finding
excluded role hiding
cruel passion ridding
Need to see well where you're sitting?
Written: October 22, 2022
I was not ready to lose you.
But you were taken from me, anyway.
Suddenly.
On a sunny day that started so normally.
Without any sign of the emotional pain to come.
Abruptly.
Life’s like that, I guess.
It shouldn’t be that way. It just is.
Unfair.
Losing a loved one is always hard.
Losing a father at a tender age is as hard as it gets.
Wrenching.
I was more than a boy.
But, not yet a man.
Becoming.
You were meant to be my guide through that stage of life.
You were supposed to be my mentor as I grew.
Transitioning.
I had to do a lot of growing up fast in those early years after you passed.
I had to be strong for Mum.
Maturing.
The sad thing is I have more in common with you now than I had then.
I share your love for photography and classical music.
Passions.
Oh, the conversations we could have had.
I don’t even know which classical composers you listened to.
Wondering.
So many things left unsaid.
So much potential.
Gone.
I would have been a different man if you had stayed.
In ways that I will never know.
Unguessable.
I’ve been told I look like you.
That gives me much consolation.
Comforting.
I feel like, in me, there’s a part of you that lives still.
I carry on your name.
Heritage.
The memories may be dimmer as the years roll by too fast.
But I will never forget the values you taught me.
Integrity.
Honesty.
Trust.
Love.
Yours was a selfless love.
I never wanted for anything.
Cared for.
Loved.
One day we WILL have those conversations.
When I get to Heaven.
Future.
But I hope that day doesn’t come too soon.
Until then, keep watching over me.
I hope I make you proud.
Arising in softest sapphire,
Shimmery as the night,
Inviting silence to release her,
Tears flowing, thick and sincere,
Breaking through melancholy,
Trembling with dark dread,
Erasing all the soul’s vivacity –
Erasing the existence of her memories.
Appearing in somber ashen,
Overcast by doubts – catastrophe,
Shrinking beneath seas of dejection,
Unwarranted shadows,
Casting careless heartaches,
Destined to fail – the misery so real,
Unwelcome as the tears, trailing,
Like dew, soft and soothing,
Pulsating through the veins who remember…
Ascending in the lost hues,
Dusky death, her faded words so wrong,
Like a sad, sad song…
Lingering on the soul, deaf
To the colors of hope, the vibrant
Charms of cheery gold and bubbly rose,
Healing the heart, risking all the beautiful
For the moments when pleasant feelings
Fall, like rain – softly blessing away all fear,
Washing away the pain with a breath,
Gasping for the moments before death,
Stole the laughter from the dreams,
The sensitivity from the subtle memories.
Climbing the moments before grief
Struck the soul with its night,
Reminding that autumn, yes, the fall…
She always comes to call,
Leaving only the naked branches,
The whispers of wind, caressing the still
Cool blessings, tenderly
Like a flowing grace, abiding
Pouring out her promises of life
Even after the graveside service has drained,
All the beautiful from the colors,
Colors of grief, meant to bring a heart peace.
Yes, these colors of grief,
They’ll always abide to relieve,
Comforting the souls who can see past –
The loss, into the promise of heaven eternal.
Listen to the aching prayers, the promise is there,
Alive in the memories, in the gentleness,
Where a still reflection of God’s breathless harmony –
Kisses away every anxiety,
Reassures and consoles, lightens the heaviest loads,
With the promise of a home with Him in heaven above,
A home made of His pure, sweet love!
A Devotion Poem, FATE
(Written for my husband, Jim)
My beloved and I, with our hearts not only
aligned in love, but also in the empathy and
compassion grown in the fruits of our years
together, in needy as well as hopeful times,
hold in sight each other. Embrace.
At many points death could have come: there
was his heart attack and then my coma.
We have moved now, side close to side,
into the downstairs living room.
We have realized and shared that when
one of us is absent (perhaps being hospitalized)
, then there comes a void in the room,
affecting every difficult breath to
feelings of a hanging emptiness
in heart and soul. The walls stand cold
...but for God’s comfort, above and near,
present through our entreaties in prayer. Clutching.
And it is Fate with Faith that keeps those days
of missing each other from yet becoming
days of grieving any final loss.
We walk our days like a pair of massive,
aging elephants with our gray trunks
entwined; so large, the ground quivers
as we journey; and the absence of either one
of us seems to strike hours and poetry
out from the equation of life. Empty.
Since our meeting 40 years ago, to
our present togetherness and alertness
to each other’s needs, I wonder
if it was God’s planned fate for us
to be staying these years
together in His gracing love, helping
us through hard times, sculpting us
with our thanksgings. Revived.
We live a melody composed
by our omnipotent Lord. It has involved
no random accidents. The lyrics are
concise and rhymed. There are
many more refrains to sound
before the final note.
——————————————————————
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(c) sally young Eslinger 5/12/21
Thanks be to God
Her husband ran across a road;
The bus was speeding, so I’m told,
And squashed him flat.
She wished she had the heart to cry,
His ashes in her mouth and eye;
She only spat.
For Susan’s The Blues tail rhyme contest
Praying
Pleading
Mourning
Grieving
With all of the praying, pleading done,
John died; I was mourning. Grieving won!
*I know his spirit will be reunited with mine. Faith keeps us going
Entry for Dr. Ram’s Tyburn contest