Friday, February 26, 2010

Friday 55- A Mother's Lament

I witnessed your first breath,
kissed away your first tears,
and cradled your head
against my breast
that you could draw my first milk.

Why must I now weep over your final gasps
and flood your bed
with my tears
as I cradle your weakened frame
against my breast,
dried and unable to sustain you?


Five years ago this month, on a snowy day, a dear friend lost his battle with cancer. As much as I mourned my own loss I thought his mother's must have been so much greater. It's simply not the natural order of things to outlive your child. The February snows often make me pause and remember both him and his mother as I say a prayer hoping her heart is eased somehow.

25 comments:

Bijoux said...

My grandfather outlived two of his eight children. It was a very sad thing to witness. Sorry about your friend, Lime.

Jazz said...

Beautiful poem Lime

Suldog said...

You're correct; it's not right. Very sad.

Nessa said...

I just couldn't imagine.

Lovely poem.

One Single Impression - Insomnia

Cricket said...

It is a lovely poem. Eight years ago I would have thought it moving. Now that I have children of my own, it's practically unreadable.

Jinksy said...

A heartrending poem you have here...

Craig said...

This April will be three years since my birth-mother's adopted daughter died, and I can still hear the sadness in her voice, and her husband's. . .

I will say a prayer for your friend's mother. You're right; it's simply not the natural order of things to outlive your child. . .

g-man said...

Thanks Trini...
This was beautiful and heart wrenching!
You are one of the best...Galen

S said...

Has it really been 5 years? Wow.
So sweet that you honour this friend every year.

:)

Anonymous said...

Heartbreaking. I would not survive.

secret agent woman said...

I think there is no grief greater than losing your child. I can't imagine.

Craver Vii said...

I hear these anniversaries can be especially difficult. My God provide the comfort she needs.

Brian Miller said...

nicely written...heavy with emotion...could not imagine...great 55.

mine i sup.

Maria said...

Someone very close to me lost a child on the 18th February 19 years ago this year. These same thoughts have been coming to me recently. They always do around this time.

Nice post, Michelle!

Ed & Jeanne said...

Hauntingly beautiful words. I could not imagine...

(M)ary said...

Ohhh what a cold and lonely month to pass...especially if you are young.

My grandmother just died but she was 96. One of her children died before her. That is always hard.

Kat said...

Nope. I simply CAN NOT imagine it. Can't.
My parents lost my sister (I was not born yet) when she was 9. I still can't imagine it.

Buzzard said...

Very well said.

EmBee said...

A dear friend of mine just lost her 16yr. old nephew to cancer. This post makes it all the more poignant.

Mona said...

This is so touching beautiful...

Hilary said...

It's an unbearable thought. Yet you honour this child with your lovely poem. I'm sorry for this unthinkable loss.

Shrinky said...

So tenderly expressed, with insight and love. I can't imagine the heartbreak of losing a child.

Unknown said...

Oh, how I caught my breathe. Your tribute is so tender and powerful.
As a mother to five, I can't even think about the dark corner of that possibility.

prayers for your friend's mother.
and for your loss as well.

Jocelyn said...

I can't even.

Think.
Comment.
Imagine.

snowelf said...

Lime, I'm very sorry for your loss although the expression of it is beautiful.

--snow


p.s. (I was almost scared to read this because I was terrified you had lost one of your Limelettes.)