poem.id,poem.ts,poem.title,poem.rating,poem.content,poem.brief_introduction,poem.author,poem.published,poem.stories,poem.share,poem.vote,poem.category_2_x_poem_id 61,"2018-02-27 21:58:10","For My Daddy",4.63,"Have you seen my Daddy? I don't know where he's gone Sometimes it hurts so much I can't seem to carry on. I hear he doesn't look quite the same He doesn't need much rest The IV and medications are all gone In fact, he looks his best Is he playing tag with his parents? In that place way up high? Or is he napping in God's garden Where the beautiful in hammocks lie? Some say he is always watching I hope this to be true And that one day he'll return to me And say, ""I've come for you"" Have you seen my Daddy? I imagine he's doing okay Though it hurts to know I can't call him every day. I really miss my Daddy I wasn't ready to say goodbye It will never be the same Years from now, I know I'll cry I bet God is with my Daddy Wrapped up in His arms Sheltered from all illness and sorrow Keeping him from harm I bet he sees us mourning But would want us to smile And tell us our time apart Is only a little while I'll never quite understand Why your time here was so small But you said you'll always be there To catch me when I fall I miss you so much Daddy But I hope and pray That when it's my time you'll come for me I'll see you again someday I guess it was meant to be That your work here on Earth was done Now your life in paradise Has only just begun Tears that I weep and prayers Will hopefully travel very far To reach my loving daddy Sitting among the stars In loving memory of my hero, Abelardo C. Caburnay 1946-2013","My Daddy was a brave man who fought his multiple medical conditions courageously throughout the years. From Type I Diabetes, respiratory failure, kidney failure, congestive heart failure, fungal pneumonia (blastomycosis), cataracts, arthritis, neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, to suffering a major and minor heart attack. He had a triple bypass in 2002, a life-saving procedure in 2012, and was a dialysis patient for nearly 8 years. He was a man of humor, kindness, and humility.","Christina Caburnay","January 2014",25,1110,1286,"{ ""61"": { ""category_2_x_poem.id"": 61, ""category_2.id"": 12, ""category_2.ts"": ""2018-02-27 21:20:59"", ""category_2.title"": ""Loss of Father Poems"", ""category_2.rating"": ""4.6"", ""category_2.category_1"": ""Death Poems"", ""category_1.id"": 2, ""category_1.ts"": ""2018-02-27 20:54:45"", ""category_1.title"": ""Death Poems"" } }" 62,"2018-02-27 21:58:13","Let Go Dad, Give In",4.58,"My darling Dad, you suffered More than we could bear to see. ""Please let go, Dad; give in. Your soul then can be free."" The morphine never touched you. You would cry out loud with pain. ""Please let go, Dad; give in."" Yet you fought and fought again. ""I'm scared to leave your Mother,"" You had said the week before. ""Please let go, Dad; give in."" But you stayed to fight some more. ""I think the cancer's winning."" It was true, Dad, and you knew. ""Please let go, Dad; give in,"" And finally we got through. A silent tear fell down your cheek As you now took you last. You let go, Dad; you gave in. Your life then came to pass. I've cried a million teardrops And then a million more. My heart is just so shattered. My soul is on the floor. When I am back within your arms And I feel your warm embrace, ""Don't let go, Dad; hold me, keep me Your baby girl forevermore.""","My dad passed away earlier this year. He had a brain tumor and was on the gurney going to surgery when he suffered a massive heart attack. He was brought back by shock and CPR, spent 10 days in ICU, had multiple organ failure, and was on life support but fought back. Dad came back to us, had 6 weeks for his heart to get strong enough to try and remove the tumor, but a scan showed it was now too big and too late. He suffered 3 further painful months.","Denise N. Thorndale","January 16, 2018",1,83,45,"{ ""62"": { ""category_2_x_poem.id"": 62, ""category_2.id"": 12, ""category_2.ts"": ""2018-02-27 21:20:59"", ""category_2.title"": ""Loss of Father Poems"", ""category_2.rating"": ""4.6"", ""category_2.category_1"": ""Death Poems"", ""category_1.id"": 2, ""category_1.ts"": ""2018-02-27 20:54:45"", ""category_1.title"": ""Death Poems"" } }" 63,"2018-02-27 21:58:16","Goodbye Dad",4.57,"It's never the right time To say goodbye. I will miss you, Dad, And here is why. You taught me so much: To show no fear, To always have fun, And face the day with cheer. You were always so able, So fast and so strong. In your little girl's eyes You could do no wrong. You would always listen, And you never pried. You were the arms around me When I cried. You never looked for praises, And you were never one to boast. You were always there For those you loved the most. You worked so hard, And those strong working hands Led me through life And helped me understand That life can be hard, And tough, and sad, But through it all I had my Dad. And because of you, I understood That life was actually Pretty good. I believe in you And will follow your path, And when things go wrong, I'll look back and laugh. I hope you can hear me So I can let you know That you were and will forever Be my superhero. So yes, today I am full of sorrow, But I will smile a little more With each tomorrow. So please, Dad, go Be at rest And know to me You were always the best. I love you so much and miss you every day! xxx","My dad recently died from pancreatic cancer. It was a very short time from diagnosis to his final breath, and not once through all the complications he suffered did he complain. Even his final hours were quiet and drama free, just like the man he was. He was a man who worked hard, never bemoaning life, always accepting how things were and enjoying the moment. He taught me a lot about what matters and how to just be happy. He is missed every day.","Leanne Brady","January 2017",7,2174,481,"{ ""63"": { ""category_2_x_poem.id"": 63, ""category_2.id"": 12, ""category_2.ts"": ""2018-02-27 21:20:59"", ""category_2.title"": ""Loss of Father Poems"", ""category_2.rating"": ""4.6"", ""category_2.category_1"": ""Death Poems"", ""category_1.id"": 2, ""category_1.ts"": ""2018-02-27 20:54:45"", ""category_1.title"": ""Death Poems"" } }" 64,"2018-02-27 21:58:21","Mya's Wish",4.54,"Dear God, My name is Mya Hailey Garcia, and I live here on Earth, and as far as I've been told, whatever I want, I should ask you first. I really don't know much about you, only what I've heard grown up's say, they say you're something really magical, and whenever I'm sad, you'll make it go away. ""Well, if you can really hear me, there's something I want to discuss, but promise you won't tell my mommy, just keep it, between the two of us, I've been feeling a strange pain inside, almost every single day, it all started about a month ago, when my Daddy went away. They said that you took him far away, to a very special place, they said I shouldn't cry or worry, cause someday, I'll see my Daddy's handsome face, I don't care what they say, they don't know what's in my heart, all I know is that my Daddy is gone, and it's tearing me apart. Okay, let me take a deep breathe, and tell you what I want to say, just be a little patient with me, I'm just learning how to pray, I want to make a deal with you, and I hope that I'm not misunderstood, I want you to give my Daddy back to me, and I promise, to always be good, I know that sometimes I don't listen and I can behave very bad, but I promise to stop now, if you let me see my Dad, I miss him so very much, I just don't know what to do, I want to hug him, kiss him, play with him, and wait for him after school, what about when Christmas comes, who will buy my toys? What about when I get to high school, who will keep me safe from bad boys? If you can really hear me, can you help me? cause I don't understand, how can my Daddy be here with me one day, and the next, his life is in your hands? Who told you that you can have him? Did you ever think of me? Did you ever think of Mommy, and how lonely, she would be? I don't mean to yell at you, or disrespect you, in any kind of way, I'm just feeling very hurt and angry, cause my Daddy's gone away! What was that you said? I think I hear you speak, You say my Daddy is in a beautiful place, where only good people meet, You say that you'll watch over him, as he watches over me. You say you'll never leave him alone, and by his side, you'll always be? ""Well"", if that's the case, I guess it will be alright, that Daddy spends some time with you, until we reunite. Although it's still not clear to me, the reason why he's gone, I feel a little better now, knowing that he is safe in your arms, ""ok"", it's getting pretty late, and I want to go to sleep, but there's just one wish I want to make, and I pray you grant it just for me, I know that it's impossible, you give me Daddy back, right now, but could you make it summertime again, when my Daddy was still around. Amen, Love Mya",,"Nancy Wright","July 2008",68,96,1678,"{ ""64"": { ""category_2_x_poem.id"": 64, ""category_2.id"": 12, ""category_2.ts"": ""2018-02-27 21:20:59"", ""category_2.title"": ""Loss of Father Poems"", ""category_2.rating"": ""4.6"", ""category_2.category_1"": ""Death Poems"", ""category_1.id"": 2, ""category_1.ts"": ""2018-02-27 20:54:45"", ""category_1.title"": ""Death Poems"" } }" 65,"2018-02-27 21:58:26","Dear Pop",4.53,"Once you had told me When you were gone I'd pick up the pieces I would go on But you forgot to mention One tiny detail Somethings aren't easy And sometimes I might fail There's times when the world Seems to rest on my shoulders Not another year wiser Just another year older I try to recall All you had to teach I probably seemed to Be way out of reach Hold your head high And always be strong Never let it show when Things are going wrong Have a firm hand But a gentle touch Use force as a tool Never a crutch Bite your lip Before you cry Always tell the truth And never tell a lie Be a good man Take care of your nest Always be sure To do your best Be hard to shove Stick out your chest You can always love But never go through the test Of your family, and yourself Always be proud Be a leader Never follow the crowd Teach you girls goodness And your boys to be strong Let them know, any road Worth taking may be long Thank God everyday For all that he gives you Follow him always In everything you do Take some advice Only when needed But use your own mind That's how things get succeeded I realize now how Right you were Everyday seems to get harder Every year is a blur An old man giving lectures Is all I had thought There were lessons to learn And lessons to be taught I grasped one here I grasped one there As you lectured and preached While you sat in your chair I never realized You were on my side Even when you Tanned my hide I wish I would've listened More when you were alive But with all you've left me I have learned to survive I'm thanking you now Even though its too late And hopefully I'll see You at Heaven's great gate Love, Your Son more by Michelle Selby","I wrote this poem for men who don't know how to say good bye to their father who has past away.","Michelle Selby","November 2010",0,281,328,"{ ""65"": { ""category_2_x_poem.id"": 65, ""category_2.id"": 12, ""category_2.ts"": ""2018-02-27 21:20:59"", ""category_2.title"": ""Loss of Father Poems"", ""category_2.rating"": ""4.6"", ""category_2.category_1"": ""Death Poems"", ""category_1.id"": 2, ""category_1.ts"": ""2018-02-27 20:54:45"", ""category_1.title"": ""Death Poems"" } }" 66,"2018-02-27 21:58:28","My Dad My Angel",4.52,"Your battle is now over, no more tears flowing down your cheek, no more pain, no more suffering, now you are no longer weak. I still do not understand why this had to happen to you, but I am proud to say you are my dad, the greatest man I ever knew. Although you will not be here to walk me down the aisle, when that day comes I know you will be by my side with a smile. You were always there for me and never once made me cry, until the day you closed your eyes and had to say goodbye. Now you are my Angel, so spread your wings out wide, please wrap them around me whenever you see me cry. Our time together was memorable and God took you way too fast, But the most precious thing to me was you being there for my first breath, and me being there for your last. more by Jamie Cirello","This is a poem I wrote after my father passed away from prostate cancer. I miss him dearly, only been gone 8 months and it hurts everyday.","Jamie Cirello","December 2010",102,1001,2232,"{ ""66"": { ""category_2_x_poem.id"": 66, ""category_2.id"": 12, ""category_2.ts"": ""2018-02-27 21:20:59"", ""category_2.title"": ""Loss of Father Poems"", ""category_2.rating"": ""4.6"", ""category_2.category_1"": ""Death Poems"", ""category_1.id"": 2, ""category_1.ts"": ""2018-02-27 20:54:45"", ""category_1.title"": ""Death Poems"" } }" 67,"2018-02-27 21:58:34","The Gift God Gave Me Was You",4.49,"I will never say goodbye to you my Father because I know this is not the end for us to see each other. You will only be going to a place where there's no pain nor suffering. I am happy for you, for you will be with God. For now we need to go in separate ways. I remember how your arms hold me and give me strength. You were always there to listen, love, and defend me in everything. You were my very best friend. In my triumphs you were always proud. I'm very grateful and proud to call you my dad. Here deep inside my heart you'll always be. I would give up everything I have just to hug you one more time. I remember the last time I held your hand and how you looked at me in the eyes. If only I could turn back the time I would have never let you go. I felt the world stop and my heart stop beating when they told me you were gone....... How I wish I was only dreaming. Just like the rain; tears fell down from my eyes, I couldn't speak for awhile. Thank you Dad.... For always understanding, listening, caring, and loving me your whole life. The greatest gift God gave me was YOU........ my Dad... It's difficult to let you go but I must... I must return the gift God gave me... Till then; See you in Heaven......... visit Lea Gomez's site",,"Lea Gomez","August 2008",59,703,1775,"{ ""67"": { ""category_2_x_poem.id"": 67, ""category_2.id"": 12, ""category_2.ts"": ""2018-02-27 21:20:59"", ""category_2.title"": ""Loss of Father Poems"", ""category_2.rating"": ""4.6"", ""category_2.category_1"": ""Death Poems"", ""category_1.id"": 2, ""category_1.ts"": ""2018-02-27 20:54:45"", ""category_1.title"": ""Death Poems"" } }" 68,"2018-02-27 21:58:38","As My Tear Softly Falls",4.49,"And he puts his boat in the water for the last time A tear will fall for the last time I wipe the tears from my face with your old shirt for the last time I cry about the last time I said goodbye to you More then oceans separate us More then continents themselves But in my heart you will remain Along with everything you taught me Memories seep from my veins Vivid pictures of you lay softly in the back of my mind But you now rest in the arms of the angels Everyday I wish you were here to hold me in your arms And comfort me threw every obstacle in life And such a thought brings me weeping on my knees And everyday I picture you I remember you And everyday I struggle with the reality that you're gone And with that struggle I make it threw another day Everything happens for a reason Yours was to build me up And no one can ever tear me down You taught me all you could in your short time with me And now my only job is to remember and never forget Rain is nothing but tears to me Tears from a man who wasn't good at sharing his emotions Although going on without you upsets me Everything reminds me I'm not afraid to cry I pretend to be ok everyday And it's always hard to deal with the pain of loosing you And force that smile when it just won't come. The wake comes off the bow The anchor is reeled in Another tear softly falls for him","After my dad died I was inspired to write this as a way to explain my feelings since his death.","Breton Delayne White","November 2008",8,86,341,"{ ""68"": { ""category_2_x_poem.id"": 68, ""category_2.id"": 12, ""category_2.ts"": ""2018-02-27 21:20:59"", ""category_2.title"": ""Loss of Father Poems"", ""category_2.rating"": ""4.6"", ""category_2.category_1"": ""Death Poems"", ""category_1.id"": 2, ""category_1.ts"": ""2018-02-27 20:54:45"", ""category_1.title"": ""Death Poems"" } }" 69,"2018-02-27 21:58:39","Not Ready For Goodbye",4.49,"I'm not ready for goodbye, Nor so long or see ya later. Not ready for the end, Not ready for this reality. I'm not ready for this life, one without you in it. I'm not ready for your goodbye. maybe someone else's, anyone else's, just not yours, never ever yours. Death doesn't become of you, It isn't your best color, So could they change the prognosis, Tell me it was just a mistake, Just another misdiagnosis. Please remind me you are indestructible, just like we always used to believe, Tell me you are still my guardian, And still going to be living. Please tell me daddy, You will still always be my best friend. Please tell me you will never leave me, And you will be here till the end. Tell me I'm having a nightmare, And I will wake up in the morning, With all these things being nothing but another forgotten dream. Tell me you will always love me, And stay with me, My selfishness wants you to always stay by my side. Knowing that you are going to be gone, Won't make your leaving any easier. I love you too much daddy, Infinity and Beyond.","My dad was diagnosed with cancer October 19, 2008. I wrote this poem within the next few days after finding that out. This is the poem I read at his funeral. He died December 3, 2008. Everyday without him is like hell on earth. I love him more than I ever thought I could love someone. He was my best friend. My brother (19) and I (16) never thought we would have to live without him, now we have to try. Some days, it hurts so much we just cant take it...","Megan Adams","December 2008",36,153,703,"{ ""69"": { ""category_2_x_poem.id"": 69, ""category_2.id"": 12, ""category_2.ts"": ""2018-02-27 21:20:59"", ""category_2.title"": ""Loss of Father Poems"", ""category_2.rating"": ""4.6"", ""category_2.category_1"": ""Death Poems"", ""category_1.id"": 2, ""category_1.ts"": ""2018-02-27 20:54:45"", ""category_1.title"": ""Death Poems"" } }" 70,"2018-02-27 21:58:43","Letting You Go",4.49,"my one true rock a shoulder in which I could rely for whenever I was angry or when I needed a good cry. you were the strongest man that I had ever knew but when I saw you in that hospital bed your feet were turning so blue. ""there's no chance"" the doctor would say no matter what we could do we could not make you stay. unresponsive, unable to speak, unable to feel anything but pain everything that they could do would all be in vain. ""stop the test"" we ordered ""keep him as comfortable as can be"" as hard as it was for us we had to set him free. the next two days slowly drifted by all that I could do was hold your hand and cry. for here is this man the strongest man I ever knew and I couldn't figure out how I'd survive in this crazy world without you. and as you took your final breathes tears formed in your eyes for as hard as it was for us it was hard for you to say goodbye. God said it was your time so you slowly picked your hands up and held them to the sky you took your final breathes and just like that.....you were gone. I know you're with mom now dancing and being free and when we get to Heaven we will all get to see. see you and your smiling face laughing, and walking pain free we'll get to say our I love you's we'll be as happy as can be. until then I'll miss your more and more each day no matter what I do the world is a far lonelier place without you. I love you daddy and I'll miss you more than you'll ever know as much as this hurts me----I'm letting you go.","I wrote this poem right after my dad died. He was only 56 years old, but he became very ill and we had to make the decision to let him go. He was my best friend, and I will always miss him!","Emily Guthrie","May 2012",4,126,249,"{ ""70"": { ""category_2_x_poem.id"": 70, ""category_2.id"": 12, ""category_2.ts"": ""2018-02-27 21:20:59"", ""category_2.title"": ""Loss of Father Poems"", ""category_2.rating"": ""4.6"", ""category_2.category_1"": ""Death Poems"", ""category_1.id"": 2, ""category_1.ts"": ""2018-02-27 20:54:45"", ""category_1.title"": ""Death Poems"" } }" 71,"2018-02-27 21:58:44","Seasons Of Grief",4.63,"Shall I wither and fall like an autumn leaf, From this deep sorrow - from this painful grief? How can I go on or find a way to be strong? Will I ever again enjoy life's sweet song? Sometimes a warm memory sheds light in the dark And eases the pain like the song of a Meadow Lark. Then it flits away on silent wings and I'm alone; Hungering for more of the light it had shone. Shall grief's bitter cold sadness consume me, Like a winter storm on the vast angry sea? How can I fill the void and deep desperate need To replant my heart with hope's lovely seed? Then I look at a photo of your playful smiling face And for a moment I escape to a serene happy place; Remembering the laughter and all you would do, Cherishing the honest, caring, loving spirit of you. Shall spring's cheerful flowers bring life anew And allow me to forget the agony of missing you? Will spring's burst of new life bring fresh hope And teach my grieving soul how to cope? Sometimes I'll read a treasured card you had given me And each word's special meaning makes me see, The precious gift of love I was fortunate to receive, And I realize you'd never want to see me grieve. Shall summer's warm brilliant sun bring new light, And free my anguished mind of its terrible plight? Will its gentle breezes chase grief's dark clouds away, And show me a clear path towards a better day? When I visit the grave where you lie in eternal peace, I know that death and heaven brought you release; I try to envision your joy on that shore across the sea, And, until I join you, that'll have to be enough for me. For all the remaining seasons of my life on earth, There'll be days I'll miss your merriment and mirth, And sometimes I'll sadly long for all the yesterdays; Missing our chats and your gentle understanding ways. Yet, the lessons of kindness and love you taught me, And the good things in life you've helped me to see; Linger as lasting gifts that comfort and will sustain, Until I journey to that peaceful shore and see you again. more by Belinda Stotler","My sister, Brenda, was my best friend and I loved her with my whole heart. She died suddenly at age 50 from a blood clot caused by emergency surgery that she should have never had to undergo. She died 3 days after my birthday on 11/09/2007 and I found her when I went to change her bandages. The shock and grief was unbearable at times, and I cried everyday the first year afterwards. I miss her and think of her every day. Poetry helped me and I hope my poem helps others.","Belinda Stotler","February 2012",11,1418,709,"{ ""71"": { ""category_2_x_poem.id"": 71, ""category_2.id"": 13, ""category_2.ts"": ""2018-02-27 21:21:09"", ""category_2.title"": ""Grief Poems"", ""category_2.rating"": ""4.6"", ""category_2.category_1"": ""Death Poems"", ""category_1.id"": 2, ""category_1.ts"": ""2018-02-27 20:54:45"", ""category_1.title"": ""Death Poems"" } }" 72,"2018-02-27 21:58:46",Sometimes,4.57,"Sometimes I catch a glimpse, In softened waves of blue, My child, my heart ...when I see a smile, I can't help but think of you. Sometimes these waves fill oceans. And feelings string on every shore, A collections of each memory And every way I wish for more. Sometimes I watch for answers Because each day I call to you. I ask for faith and courage And strength...to help me through. Sometimes I ask for bravery Like dolphins in the deep, Because time moves oh so slowly, And sometimes the road is steep. Sometimes I want to scream. This was not what I had planned. Why you ever suffered, A mom can't understand. Sometimes I hear your laughter And remember you at play, But My Child I always miss you. Not sometimes, but every day. visit Colleen Ranney's site","I wrote a poem in response to a request from a mother who lost her child. Since then I have decided to share it with any parent out there who has lost a child. May this bring comfort to you","Colleen Ranney","January 2012",29,556,1070,"{ ""72"": { ""category_2_x_poem.id"": 72, ""category_2.id"": 13, ""category_2.ts"": ""2018-02-27 21:21:09"", ""category_2.title"": ""Grief Poems"", ""category_2.rating"": ""4.6"", ""category_2.category_1"": ""Death Poems"", ""category_1.id"": 2, ""category_1.ts"": ""2018-02-27 20:54:45"", ""category_1.title"": ""Death Poems"" } }" 73,"2018-02-27 21:58:50","This Basket Of Burdens",4.54,"My Basket of burdens Is filled with the grief of my loss It is so heavy to carry Although this road I must cross. This pathway through life Feels unbearable at times And I don't have the strength For this mountain I climb. The Basket's filled with sorrow Oh, how I miss my love At first, It's impossible to carry, Where is my help from above? It's draining my strength I can't do anymore This pain goes so deep Right down to my core. As I carry this Basket I'll learn to manage the weight Each step of the way Will become easier they say. But how do they know, Have they been here before? If so, where's their Basket They're responsible for? This Basket of burdens You can't see and can't touch I carry it inside me This pain is too much. Patience is needed to carry This loss that I feel A shoulder to lean on So, someday I will heal. God sent my family My friends and spirits unknown So, I won't carry this Basket For-ever alone Someday, I'll lay down my Basket With burdens' no more My pain will be gone When, I cross through that door Then I'll know reason For my Basket of Burdens How God showed me His grace When I couldn't cope with the season Love and support that He gave When His presence felt unknown He was with me each step When I felt so alone","I have experience so much loss in the past few years. My mother, sister, grandmother, sister-in-law, niece and grandchild and dealing with the grief is so difficult at times and feels like it is just too hard to bear. I want others to know that they are not alone in their pain and my faith has helped me get through all of this.",Debbie,"March 2010",7,278,415,"{ ""73"": { ""category_2_x_poem.id"": 73, ""category_2.id"": 13, ""category_2.ts"": ""2018-02-27 21:21:09"", ""category_2.title"": ""Grief Poems"", ""category_2.rating"": ""4.6"", ""category_2.category_1"": ""Death Poems"", ""category_1.id"": 2, ""category_1.ts"": ""2018-02-27 20:54:45"", ""category_1.title"": ""Death Poems"" } }" 74,"2018-02-27 21:58:53","How We Survive",4.53,"If we are fortunate, we are given a warning. If not, there is only the sudden horror, the wrench of being torn apart; of being reminded that nothing is permanent, not even the ones we love, the ones our lives revolve around. Life is a fragile affair. We are all dancing on the edge of a precipice, a dizzying cliff so high we can't see the bottom. One by one, we lose those we love most into the dark ravine. So we must cherish them without reservation. Now. Today. This minute. We will lose them or they will lose us someday. This is certain. There is no time for bickering. And their loss will leave a great pit in our hearts; a pit we struggle to avoid during the day and fall into at night. Some, unable to accept this loss, unable to determine the worth of life without them, jump into that black pit spiritually or physically, hoping to find them there. And some survive the shock, the denial, the horror, the bargaining, the barren, empty aching, the unanswered prayers, the sleepless nights when their breath is crushed under the weight of silence and all that it means. Somehow, some survive all that and, like a flower opening after a storm, they slowly begin to remember the one they lost in a different way... The laughter, the irrepressible spirit, the generous heart, the way their smile made them feel, the encouragement they gave even as their own dreams were dying. And in time, they fill the pit with other memories the only memories that really matter. We will still cry. We will always cry. But with loving reflection more than hopeless longing. And that is how we survive. That is how the story should end. That is how they would want it to be. more by Mark Rickerby","Poems are like children. We create them and they feel very personal to us, but then they travel outward, interact with others, and take on a life of their own. My brother died in 1997 at the age of 38. I wrote a poem about my own grieving process and sent it to a few friends who had also suffered losses. They sent it around and, to my surprise, it started to travel around the Internet a little. I have received some very touching emails from people telling me the poem gave them some peace after the loss of a loved one. There is no greater feeling than that - knowing that some little words I wrote in my hour of darkness helped someone else find some comfort in theirs. I hope it helps you, too.","Mark Rickerby","August 2008",20,561,713,"{ ""74"": { ""category_2_x_poem.id"": 74, ""category_2.id"": 13, ""category_2.ts"": ""2018-02-27 21:21:09"", ""category_2.title"": ""Grief Poems"", ""category_2.rating"": ""4.6"", ""category_2.category_1"": ""Death Poems"", ""category_1.id"": 2, ""category_1.ts"": ""2018-02-27 20:54:45"", ""category_1.title"": ""Death Poems"" } }" 75,"2018-02-27 21:58:54","One Year Less",4.52,"There is no word, no label, no identifying moniker, I am not a widow, not an orphan, not childless, But one child less. One less open laugh and little boy giggle, One less challenging tete-a-tete; One less artful, winking manipulation, One less word of comfort, one less grateful hug. One less chance to embrace a daughter; One less new life to carry your eyes, your chin, your grin, your name, No one word for the pain, the longing, the brevity Of a life meant for living; an old soul meant to grow older than mine; Would there be any one price too high, any sacrifice too great, For one more moment, one more breath, one more warm touch; I grasp desperately and sense the closeness - the ONE just at the fingertips of my heart and mind, Only to realize again and again and again, There is no ""One"" - you are gone and I am - less. more by Cheryl McDonald",,"Cheryl McDonald","March 2010",24,194,396,"{ ""75"": { ""category_2_x_poem.id"": 75, ""category_2.id"": 13, ""category_2.ts"": ""2018-02-27 21:21:09"", ""category_2.title"": ""Grief Poems"", ""category_2.rating"": ""4.6"", ""category_2.category_1"": ""Death Poems"", ""category_1.id"": 2, ""category_1.ts"": ""2018-02-27 20:54:45"", ""category_1.title"": ""Death Poems"" }, ""125"": { ""category_2_x_poem.id"": 125, ""category_2.id"": 20, ""category_2.ts"": ""2018-02-27 21:22:17"", ""category_2.title"": ""Son Death Poems"", ""category_2.rating"": ""4.6"", ""category_2.category_1"": ""Death Poems"", ""category_1.id"": 2, ""category_1.ts"": ""2018-02-27 20:54:45"", ""category_1.title"": ""Death Poems"" } }" 76,"2018-02-27 21:58:57","My Mask",4.50,"Every morning I wake up and put on a mask. The mask makes everything seem all right, But they don't know I cry at night. The nightmares just won't go away. If only I knew it was your last day. For six years I've felt this pain. The feeling just won't go away. Everyone thinks I've dealt with your death the best, But without this mask I'd be a mess. more by Ellie Nazza","Three people who were very close to me and my family suddenly died. I felt like I had to help my family get through this and be positive, so I pretended to be happy and never told anyone how I felt, and now 6 years later I'm still crying most nights because I've never properly dealt with their death, and still nobody knows. This is also my first ever poem and I'm only a kid, so take that into consideration when you read it. :)","Ellie Nazza","June 2011",5,176,336,"{ ""76"": { ""category_2_x_poem.id"": 76, ""category_2.id"": 13, ""category_2.ts"": ""2018-02-27 21:21:09"", ""category_2.title"": ""Grief Poems"", ""category_2.rating"": ""4.6"", ""category_2.category_1"": ""Death Poems"", ""category_1.id"": 2, ""category_1.ts"": ""2018-02-27 20:54:45"", ""category_1.title"": ""Death Poems"" } }" 77,"2018-02-27 21:59:01","Grieving For A Loved One",4.50,"I shed a tear, I feel quite numb another loss, thoughts of a dearly beloved one they say ""time heals"", give it a while remember all the happy times and smiles and for a while it's true, I smile and laugh enjoy my life, forget about the past but reality shows it's ugly face, brings back all the pain you've really only blocked it out, nothing much been gained You surround yourself with photo's, and little treasured items in an attempt to keep them close, raw withheld emotions but still they seem so far away nothing really brings them back feeling so alone I pray let me off this one way track I would prefer to join them, than to go through all this again it makes you wonder who'll be next? these feelings make you cold and drained Though you hope that they are well not one person can really tell but what brings a little piece of mind is all the others they've left behind remember that we're all the same all our lives have changed even though in different ways we've got one common bond each one of us has loved and lost this special person left, and gone here we are, all brought together parents, siblings, friends and lovers it's time to say our last goodbyes as they make their way, up to the skies for some that might be it over and complete but not for me, oh no this still goes on, this sorry show the memories still live on ""it gets easier"" . . . . but they're wrong all it takes is just one thought for these feelings to surface, still so fraught some say they understand been there, seen it, all first hand but how could they possibly feel what I do? for they never even knew you because you were one in a million one of those shining stars that's why I feel so troubled with deep and wounded scars each time I lose a loved one a part of me dies too they each take a piece of my heart when that time comes for us to part I wonder if that's when my time will come when there's nothing left to take with the fading of the sun, no reason to stay awake","In losing 3 people dear to me in very quick succession I've found it hard to get back into 'reality'. People expect after a while for you to move on from it, but there is no time limit on grief. To try and help me move on I've looked up some poems and there's such beautifully written work out there it gave me the feeling that I'm not alone in my feelings which gave me the push to try and write something myself. Grief is personal but is also there to be shared with others feeling the same.","Carolynn F","May 2013",3,195,276,"{ ""77"": { ""category_2_x_poem.id"": 77, ""category_2.id"": 13, ""category_2.ts"": ""2018-02-27 21:21:09"", ""category_2.title"": ""Grief Poems"", ""category_2.rating"": ""4.6"", ""category_2.category_1"": ""Death Poems"", ""category_1.id"": 2, ""category_1.ts"": ""2018-02-27 20:54:45"", ""category_1.title"": ""Death Poems"" } }" 78,"2018-02-27 21:59:06","A Lost Family Tree",4.48,"Sometimes I crawl Into my skin To lose myself From the world Disconnect myself from my family tree Searching the mean streets For a mother's intuition Going home to a newborn Crying for my attention I got lost in the adoption agency Lost my child's daddy DYFS lost my baby Cried so much Lost my vision The pink bundle taken Hurt so bad I couldn't witness Keep it or leave it Abandon, adoption, abortion The ultimate ultimatum Lost my mother To her only hope, dope She lost herself In the melodies Of street pharmacy remedies A shoulda,coulda,woulda Waiting for sidewalk doctors To pass out plastic bag prescriptions Take drugs or have drugs take me Sniff or needle Die high or low The ultimate ultimatum Lost my father To a jail cell So focused to right He did wrong Lost his last appeal And then his mind So young yet so old Lost his wisdom Killed himself Murder victim of the Correctional system Jail or Suicide This cell or hell Wrong or right 25 years to life The ultimate ultimatum Lost my brother To a color So stuck in the gang He was stitched into the fabric Woven into a web Of forced respect Not even a truce Could knock his gang intellect Lost in criminal knowledge Can't help what the Streets had taught him Stolen purses and snatched wallets Nothing but a lost bullet Not meant to hit him A young soul gone Lost to a funeral home Red or blue Do or die Kill or be killed The ultimate ultimatum My sister been lost Sold her body On every street For so cheap But her daddy was a deadbeat So she gave of herself so easily Walking the streets for love Until the AIDS disease Hugged Her soul No medicine Could replenish her back to whole Lost in the reaping of what she sowed Her body owed Safe sex or one of 2 million infected Not knowing or getting tested Waiting to die or dying to wait AIDS epidemic Lost my whole family Better yet a society Lost without morals Values and respect Old souls who h","A whole family lost, each on their separate journeys to a sad and separate death.","Moneisha S. Madden","February 2006",2,18,107,"{ ""78"": { ""category_2_x_poem.id"": 78, ""category_2.id"": 13, ""category_2.ts"": ""2018-02-27 21:21:09"", ""category_2.title"": ""Grief Poems"", ""category_2.rating"": ""4.6"", ""category_2.category_1"": ""Death Poems"", ""category_1.id"": 2, ""category_1.ts"": ""2018-02-27 20:54:45"", ""category_1.title"": ""Death Poems"" } }" 79,"2018-02-27 21:59:11","My Dad",4.46,"Do you know how it feels to lose someone? How you go through grief and pain? I know how that feels, and how it feels to always live in rain. I remember it like it was yesterday, how I stood by my dad's side. And how I couldn't bare to look at him, but all I did was cry. I knew I couldn't help him, I couldn't fix his pain. I couldn't stop myself from crying, I couldn't help him in anyway. I wanted to help my dad, but they said it was to late. How could it have come to this, to this horrible fate. My dad was loving, he was a caring guy. Maybe he wasn't perfect, but he didn't cheat, steal or lie. I loved my dad, I loved him with all my heart. But there was nothing I could do, It was too late from the start. They said they caught it too late, there was nothing they could do. But just let him pass on, it was hard but it was true. It's been almost a year, It doesn't feel like it's been that long. And it still hurts, but he's now where he belongs. No matter what happens, he'll always be loved. Until the day I die, and I join him up above. He's up there somewhere with God, He's in his rightful place. And even though I want him back, It's a tragedy I have to face. Sometimes at night, I cry myself to sleep. But through the year of darkness, the depression I'll have to defeat. His love, is what keeps me hanging on. Love is a strong word, Because it's kept me alive this long. But there is one more thing, that I have to say. My dad's love will go on and on, and he's in my heart to stay. more by Desiree Kimbrue","This poem is about a girl losing her dad and getting over the depression","Desiree Kimbrue","November 2007",38,55,499,"{ ""79"": { ""category_2_x_poem.id"": 79, ""category_2.id"": 13, ""category_2.ts"": ""2018-02-27 21:21:09"", ""category_2.title"": ""Grief Poems"", ""category_2.rating"": ""4.6"", ""category_2.category_1"": ""Death Poems"", ""category_1.id"": 2, ""category_1.ts"": ""2018-02-27 20:54:45"", ""category_1.title"": ""Death Poems"" } }" 80,"2018-02-27 21:59:15","You Live Daddy",4.45,"I stand alone with you in my mind Your words taught me how to survive Your strength never let me down Now you're gone I won't disappoint you daddy But my tears will remain in my eyes My heart will hurt forever Sorry I never told you what you deserved You cared for me and I took you for granted You live alive in my heart Thank you for loving me from the start","A daughter lets her dad know just how she feels, after his passing to the other side.","Tessie M. Santiago","February 2006",9,21,170,"{ ""80"": { ""category_2_x_poem.id"": 80, ""category_2.id"": 13, ""category_2.ts"": ""2018-02-27 21:21:09"", ""category_2.title"": ""Grief Poems"", ""category_2.rating"": ""4.6"", ""category_2.category_1"": ""Death Poems"", ""category_1.id"": 2, ""category_1.ts"": ""2018-02-27 20:54:45"", ""category_1.title"": ""Death Poems"" } }"