Sunday, January 24, 2016

GONE


(Mother-in-law died over a week ago, then services, family, grief kept me away from blogging.  She always said I was her daughter and she mothered me so lovingly.  I'll miss her.)




GONE

Death - so unattractive. 
Agonizing, gripping, groans, grimaces,
birth on the flip side, 
life squeezing through its exit of pain.

I watched helplessly, 
my empathy as shallow as her breath.
There's no way to feel the road not yet travelled.  
Instead, fear painted my vigil. 
It's colors invisibly dripping
on the darkness of my sorrow.

Then that final exhalation.
Release, relief. 
Repeat!  When it's another's turn.
And life goes on.

***

I won't write poetic specifics.
These words are simple marks
To symbolize my grieving thoughts.

I saw her, knew her 
giving, loving, laughing, suffering, crying, being, 
living the unique course of her humanity.
Though memorial details would give a glimpse
of who she was,
for now,
"I loved her." 
These words must suffice.


(For Poets United.)

21 comments:

  1. My sincerest sympathy in your time of loss and yes these heartfelt words must suffice. May good memories bring release during these dark days.

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  2. I'm so sorry for your loss.

    This is my favorite part of your poem:
    "These words are simple marks
    To symbolize my grieving thoughts."

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  3. Oh my god Myrna, I m soo sorry for your loss. This is a touching poem. Big hugs.

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  4. It is so hard to watch someone you loved die. So true there is no way to feel this particular road not yet traveled. All we can do is stand by and hope for a peaceful passing. And yes, it is something that we repeat with others. Different people. Different times, but the process continues. Someday it will be each of us. We don't need memorial details to feel your loss, Myrna. It is a universal loss we all experience..and will again.

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  5. This is such a perfect poem of grief... the emotions are so strong.. and yet what else can you say in the end... after all you are always helpless watching... love is being there.

    I'm so sorry for your loss.

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  6. Very sorry for your loss, your words are a wonderful remembrance of her.

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  7. Oh Myrna, this poem wrongs my heart. I have a daughter in law who is a daughter, so I know how much she loved you. I love that you knew her giving, loving, being. You saw her.....such a gift.

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  8. Myrna I am so sorry for this enormous loss to you and your family. It is enough to just say how much we loved someone special that is now gone....and your words about the pain of this loss were felt deeply by me. 'There's no way to feel the road not yet travelled.'....so much truth in this one line. Many healing thoughts being sent your way!

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  9. Very beautiful indeed in a somber/lonely/teary kind of way.

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  10. Part of me believes that we writers are luckier than most. We have a place to go when we lose someone that allows us to express what others can't begin to say. My thoughts are with you,

    Elizabeth

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  11. My Condolences

    thank you for dropping in at my Sunday Lime this week

    much love...

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  12. i agree with shawna and her reference to those words in your closing.

    no one knows the heart except the wearer. when my tears flow from loss no one else can understand them except for me.

    gracias for sharing...heartfelt condolence

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  13. yes, those three words must suffice.

    my mother-in-law treated me like a son too, and she was such a happy person. then one day she was diagnosed with cancer, and in a few months she was gone, just like that. :(

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  14. I think your words more than suffice - they are a real, thoughtful and touching exploration of death - my kindest thoughts to you Myrna

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  15. Sorry to hear of your bereavement, Myrna! My MIL passed on 3 years ago (Jan 08, was the anniversary). We were so inexperienced having to handle a 'pink little baby' then. Our eldest daughter was practically in her arms for the first few years. That's why we all missed her! Well, life goes on! Beautiful tribute!

    Hank

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  16. “She always said I was her daughter”

    And now she’s gone. Surely, the implied obligation of parenthood is that they will never go away, but of course they do, and we’re left to feel cheated and betrayed. At least I have.

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  17. Stunning, telling, loving words of life, loss and sorrow.

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  18. I loved her too, and this was a beautiful tribute to her memory. Thank you for your heart-felt words about a beautiful woman and her passage.

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  19. I could have sworn that I responded to this, but I don't see it. I'm so sorry my friend.

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  20. May she rest in peace. You have my sympathies. May the best memories of her stay with you always.

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  21. I am so sorry for your loss! This is so moving--so very beautiful in your love for her

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