Losses and Gains

My brother would have died at 59. Through organ donation he survived another 3 years. They were so precious to us and we found out after his death that the donated organ came from a 26 year old woman.

I woke to find you on my mind

as through the gable window came,

a friendly moon to bathe my face

upon a pillows lacy frame.

I soaked in all its silver light,

so bright but as the minutes flew,

thick swollen clouds went swirling by

which soon consumed my thoughts of you.

Dark moving mass, eclipsed my mood,

a great stampede grew in the sky.

How sad that we should stand to gain

when someone else is doomed to die.

A break appeared as clouds rolled back,

the black dispersed throughout the night.

Once more the smiling, soothing moon

would dry my tears and hold me tight.

We do not know what fate will bring,

nor who will die and who will live,

but I remain indebted for

the gift a donor chose to give.

Reviews

[Onlyme]

Chris, to give to someone else after your death, is the greatest act anyone could give to someone else. I am so glad you got to spend more time with your brother. Due to this overwhelmingly greatest act, someone did for your brother. You wrote a poem that is profound, beautiful, touching and so sincere. It demonstrates the act of unselfishness and kindness as well as humanity towards another human being. Love is eternal Christine. And your brother lives on even today. In your heart, mind and soul. And a little bit of this person. Gave his family comfort too. Knowing he was a great person. Who cared for others. Even in death. He lives.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dawn. I never feel he is that far away. Just a whisper, that is all.

Chris

[Onlyme]

That is truly lovely Chris, so glad to hear that. He is always with you Chris. Close at hand. hugs. Dawn.

[John the Baptist]

Exquisite rhyming and imagery that somehow reminded me of Robert Frost. The last verse is especially moving. The explanatory note made everything fall into place. How strange life can be, and how wonderful. That the tragedy of a young woman could prolong the life of an older man is one of the miracles of modern medicine. This poem is a fitting monument.

[Chris Shaw]

Our family will forever be grateful. Thank you so much for your very thoughtful review. Happy New Year John.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

And to you

[richieb]

Beautiful poem Chris. I understand how deep and emotional these words are to you. Some of our best work comes under these conditions. The images in your poem are so creative and speak elegantly of this donor's precious gift. Your poem is thought provoking and inspiring. Thank you so much for this gift of words.
Peace and Joy,
Richie b.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your lovely review. Happy New Year Richieb. All the very best.

Chris

[john l smith]

It is certainly an interesting thing, life, with so many expectations and no guarantees.
Organ donation is responsible for many grateful extensions and no doubt in the future, the snowballing effect of research will provide much more
Another moving write

[Chris Shaw]

You can give no greater gift than life. That donor gave me three more years with my brother. Thanks Dave.

Chris

[Tamara Beryl Latham]

Excellent, Christine. What you've penned in rhyming verse is so true. We cannot choose who will live and who will die and oftentimes the very good die very young. One of my best chemist friends just died recently. She was only 57 years of age and I thought, she didn't even get the chance to collect social security after donating into that plan for 20 years. She was such a good person...close to being angelic.

Your poem brings tears to my eyes by reminding me of her. Thanks for posting. :-)

[Chris Shaw]

Sorry for your loss Tamara. We never know how long we are going to have here. That's why we need to make the most of it. Thank you for your thoughts.

Chris

[Tamara Beryl Latham]

You are so right, Chris. Live each day as if it were the last. Enjoy the holiday season. :-)

[Anjeline]

Beautiful poem and a even more beautiful reason of it.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Anjeline for reading a d commenting.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

eloquently said Chris! ... its a weighty decision both to receive and give ... those three years must have been truly blessed for all ... including the donor's family ... i am a retired RN and having worked in Pediatric Intensive Care we sometimes were a part of that incredible process ... both the giving and receiving .. the moon here in the Ozarks is so full and bright ... yesterday, tonight and tomorrow before it starts to noticeably begins to wane ... and so your images were extra instant for me ... i am sorry you have lost your brother ... sometimes the Holidays are not so joyous :( love and peace!
E.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Mr E for your lovely response. We do indeed remember our losses more at times like Christmas. Love and peace to you my poetry friend.

Chris

[NotUsinganymore]

Very beautoful poem! it had a great flow and it had vert pretty words!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you JungLee. Good to see you here.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

"I soaked in all its silver light,
so bright but as the minutes flew,
thick swollen clouds went swirling by"