They say to be whole again, my loves,
I must embrace the whole in my breaking heart.
But it’s much too big to put my arms around.
Like the Grand Canyon of Sorrow,
No pool of healing will ever
fill its bed.
Here, in the depths of my heart,
Over and over
I replay images of you crawling on all fours …
walking, eating,
throwing your food on the floor.
The laughter.
My two bundles of joy,
Only you could have given me happiness enough
To fill my Grand Canyon of Sorrow.
So empty.
I will pray.
I will drink from the pool of sorrow
Until my mouth puckers from the salt of my tears,
They say this is the way to cross over.
Drink. Drink. Drink.
Only then will I, once again
Taste the joys that life can bring
And has brought in its abundance.
So my little ones,
I will drink,
and never stop drinking
Until there are no tears left in anyone’s eyes.
Then perhaps, we can dance together, once again,
My two little girls
My two little angels
How I love you so.
Thank you, Larry.
Powerful Ink and well written. Thank You for sharing!
Thank you. Charlotte. We all deal with difficult things in our lives, and this was one of mine. It was actually 22 years ago today (December 8th) that I lost the babies. It feels like lifetimes ago, and my motherhood journey would begin a year and a half later. What a journey it has been. Do you have any children? Also, I never quite thought about the statement “What have you been through?” Yes. We must go through it, hopefully with self-love and without suppressing. Have a great weekend.
As I read these lines, I hear your voice as your read this piece out loud, Gail.
They say this is the way to cross over.
Drink. Drink. Drink.
Only then will I, once again
Taste the joys that life can bring
And has brought in its abundance.
The only way out is through. That is why people ask “what are you going through?”
You are one strong woman.
Of course I will keep writing. I am a certified ghostwriter specializing in women’s memoirs and an IPNE (Independent Publishers of New England) Book Award Finalist for writing the memoir Finding Zoe. I have also written a self-help book Your Heart Knows the Answer, which teaches us to listen for snd trust our own inner wisdom. You are a coach?
Thank you, Minx. I appreciate your sentiments. Of course, you can drink from your tears. You would not have felt the poem so deeply, otherwise. I think we just have to trust Life and our yearning to Love. I send you much love.
Yes, it is indeed our yearning for love that allows us to keep on keeping on. Sending much love your way. Keep writing!
Such relentlessly provocative words. I am drawn in, wanting to know more, wanting to applaud you for your courage to carry on, wondering if I too could summon up the strength to drink from my tears. Brava. This gives me hope in the possibility of life beyond the chasm of grief.