Grandpa's Funeral

We cry not only because we love, but that we are loved...

Grandpa’s funeral made her cry,

she’d loved him very much

 

He did the things good grandpas did ,

stories and candy and such

 

I watched as her young heart broke,

and I knew just why she cried

 

So many people had loved her well;

now one less on her side

Author's Note

At a funeral for a friend's father this morning, one granddaughter was particularly distraught. My heart went out to her...

Reviews

[Christoph Poe]

I'll just add before I get to the good stuff that I cannot stand rhyming schemes in poetry. I feel like most poetry should be out of tempo, like a bad dancer who dances to feeling rather that instructions.

And with that thought:

I loved it. This is a phenomenal piece of poetry to be so simple. You've used a universal subject that anyone can relate to--death--and you never the first time used that exact word. Instead, 'Love', in the end, contradicted it so well. I'm just stunned, and thank you for changing my views on poetry.

Take care and keep writing,
--Christoph

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you so much, Christoph! I have to warn you, most of my poems rhyme - I get a bit OCD with it, in fact. I find it a challenge to get the meaning in a rhyme, and I think it's fun, actually. I do have some free verse - I try everything, and hope that at least some of it resonates. :)

[Christoph Poe]

I read through a few of them and kinda figured, but I'm not disappointed by the fact. Keep writing and I'll keep reading. :)

You're welcome!

[Clockwork]

That last stanza really hit home for me. It makes me feel as though her grandfather loved her unconditionally, and the world would be at least a little darker without it. I felt that way after I lost my great-grandmother two springs ago. Also, I like the description of the kind things he did for her. It sounds like he had a very kind heart. My thoughts go out to her and hers for her loss today.

[Rita L. Sev]

You put that well, C; that her life would be darker without him. I think this is what we experience with each loss, a dimming of our own collection of sunshine... Thank you so much!

[Clockwork]

You're welcome Rita

[ShelleyA]

Hi Rita. A lovely heartfelt write about losing someone very dear. Lovely depth of feeling. Painful and poignant. I can relate to these feelings. My granddad was my best friend and he passed away when I was 11 years old. Write on.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Shelley. I was so blessed to have three of my grandparents into adulthood, and lost my grandmother only 3 years ago (she was almost 99). This is how I felt when my father passed, and I was grown - I think that is always part of the sorrow - we know that there's one less person fighting for us now.

[SyberRose]

I remember when my great grandmother died...i was seventeen and i was hysterical when they put the lid down on her coffin... a sad one Rita...Rose

[Rita L. Sev]

Thanks for reading, Rose

[jacob erin-cilberto]

this makes me very sad, Rita---i think of my mom...she didn't even go to her father's funeral---

my grandpa was nothing like this. he was a cold, distant man...who remarried soon after my mom's mother died...and his new wife was a b***h..

my mother and her brother got kicked out when they were young...

she had so much resentment towards him.

at the same time it makes me sad to read this...i also feel hope...there are fathers who really love their daughters...and those daughters still feel the love long after the fathers are gone.

beautiful write.

jacob

[Rita L. Sev]

Jacob, I was so lucky to have had my father, and this man who was buried today, while tough on his 6 kids, was a good father, and a beloved grandfather. To lose men like this really does feel like there is one less person in our corner... Thank you so much for your thoughts and kind words.

[Einstein Noodle]

hearts going out for sure.... my wife (abused by parents) so very loved; and saved by grandma and grand dad .. love and peace ... E.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you so much, E.

[Chris]

Grans are special to grandchildren... both sides have their favorites...

[Rita L. Sev]

That is true - and I got the feeling that he was hers... Thank you, Chris

[ANTO]

God that must have been heart-wrenching Rita. To be able to harness that sadness and write about it is surely the mark of a true poet and human being.

Kudos

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Anto. I truly appreciate your kindness

[ANTO]

As another great writer on WC once said to me - Im just being honest
X

[Rogue]

This is so sad and touching. I lost both of my grandfathers as a child so I know how the young girl felt.

A very thoughtful write, Rita.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Rogue