The Trail of My Tears

With need we traveled here

And with great care we both played a part.

You to be tended, and

I to sit and watch.

With hope clutched tight,

I watched and prayed.

As the hourglass of time made its claim.

I knelt to pray for the angels to escort you with care,

And for grit to block all my tears.

My nerves held true as each child left.

till only I in the chapel sat.

With need I returned to you for a final goodbye.

A kiss to the head as I closed your eyes..

Then the nurse passed to me the bag of your effects.

And the weight of that bag ripped open my grief and

Bathed in tears alone I did leave.

Reviews

[Ken Simm.]

This is so sad and I know the feelings entailed. such a bittersweet poem beautifully written.

[Cherrie Palmer]

Thank you Ken. It was truly an overwhelming moment. I decided to write it in poetry form to soften the edges a bit.

[Ken Simm.]

I understand completely.

[light and ashes]

It's something when and where and how that weight hits.
The fact, that we don't have our loved ones anymore..

that fact, that they no longer exist, in the present, in our lives, it hits, with such a surreal weight,
and as we go on with our lives, it simply aches, with an unreal type of ache.
It's the feeling that something is missing in our lives, that will never return.....
and most days, we are able to manage, to deal with the loss,
but occasionally, it rips open,
and we feel the full weight of that loss,
again.

I mourn the loss of my grandmother and my beloved dog.

The weight of which, I will never, stop feeling, altogether. 🙏❤️

[Cherrie Palmer]

Yes, loss is a pain we all go through. From parents, siblings, children and spouses. It grips the soul cutting new channels with each pain. So I guess the greater our love's the deeper our crevasse.

[light and ashes]

Maybe.....

[Pete]

beyond touching. a deep and sad tale so poetically and emotively told. great title too ... :)

[Cherrie Palmer]

Thank you Pete. I have to say (to date) this was the most emotionally packed moment of my life.

[Pete]

gut-wrenching ... :)

[Lorry]

Yes, those bags of effects are amongst many unwanted thoughts in a moment of loss, with more no doubt to come.
With each thought, we wonder when the shock will disipate, but it never really does, does it? We only get used to it more and more.
Hoping that bag of grief gets lighter, especially over the holiday season, which will be hard enough, just in knowing they are gone, which will get easier over time I'm sure, but never easy.

[Cherrie Palmer]

Thank you Lorry and yes I will just have to learn how to navigate this new strech of life. Trusting God to see me through.

[Sami Khalil]

I feel you my friend; please be strong and hold tight.
Heart-wreching poem.

[Cherrie Palmer]

Thank you Sami.
All in all I'm doing good. But from time to time it sneaks up on me.

[Sami Khalil]

I understand. We are proud of you.

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

what a powerful and moving poem. great job