Grace

Grace

d.1846

6 yrs 4 days

 

 

small stone

in the shadow

of Mother and Father

 

were you running

toward the gate

with your birthday

gift in hand

a ribbon

 

was your hair

golden in sunlight

dusky in night

 

were you held

in illness by

your father’s arms

 

was your last day

tear-full and grave

wonder and awe

ribbon-clutched

 

you were the gift

child

 

and I wonder

oh how can

such a small cold place

hold the Grace

of God

Reviews

[LA Lorena]

this was completely spell binding Verser. Captivated by the emotion evoked and in awe of this heart wrenching write. I love concise verses that convey so much more. Proof positive that one need not be long winded and verbose to convey depth of feeling and emotion.

[Verser]

Thanks, LA. I believe that is what poetry (and all writing for that matter) is all about. Say the most in the least amount of space (words). Hard to do. It is all in suggesting and not telling, as I know you know. Thanks so much.

[Lisa Lindsey]

This is achingly beautiful. It reminds me of our Virginia who died at age 2 in 1920, whose only "life" I knew was a small cold stone in the shadow of my great grandparents.. Yes, I "wonder" too.

[Verser]

Lovely, Lisa. Thank you.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I was mesmerized by how utterly beautiful this reads! The litany of emotion poured from each stanza as I scrolled down the page, and the last verse overwhelmingly broke my heart.

I'm at a loss for what more to say, other than thank you for capturing the loss of this innocent, beautiful child!

My best,
Kelly

[Tree]

Ah, this is exactly what I've been searching for today. Proof. Poetry, inching into my space, filling something that needs to be filled. A poem that leaves you with a powerful feeling not of validation; too superficial. But connection. Carl, thank you for lending me your poetic sensibility, today.

A moving, piece.

DPaz

[Verser]

Thanks so much. I would love to see some poems from you--when you can. Meanwhile, again, thanks for your kinds words.

[SkinlessFrank]

Beautiful...I've spent many hours pondering the same as I've walked among these fading stone markers in small Vermont towns, trying to imagine that pain you write of so elegantly.

[Verser]

You are very kind. I guess there are a lot of people like us. After all, who can see a small stone and not wonder about what happened, what it was like, and how tragic it must have been. Thanks, Frank.

[Emily B]

walking the grassy walks, i like to wander and wonder, especially over the little stones

[Verser]

Not a lot that is sadder, methinks.

[Circe]

gosh, i can't catch my breath.... your poetry is heartbreaking, breath-taking... intricate and highly potent....

[Verser]

Wow! You are making me feel so good about myself that I feel like writing more poems. You really are an inspiration, both in your own poetry and your heartfelt honesty about others. So, so much appreciated, Circe.

[Circe]

You should write more!! Looking forward to them :)

[.]

a touching write.

thanks for sharing

[Verser]

...And thanks to you for reading and commenting. Much appreciated.

[Samuel Dickens]

Beautiful and heart-wrenching. I've spent a lot of time in old graveyards and have seen many such small graves. Saddest of all are those with no name--just a piece of rock.

[Verser]

You are right. I have a photograph of the grave that is quite nice, but there is no way to easily display it with the poem, I think.

Anyway, thanks for your thoughts and encouragement, Sam.

[rootsandwingsmemoirs.com]

You really brought the little one to life for me as I read this. I love the maturity and experience with which you write.

[Verser]

Age, I have. Maturity? Sometimes. Experience we all have. I just do my best. I thank you for your very kind comment.