I Wrote Your Name

Dedicated to my father William Wallace

I scrawled your name in the Book of the Dead yesterday,
All Souls Day, my sobs echoed far beyond the sunlit altar
as the pine trees outside softly whispered sorrow,
and stiff religious icons watched me with brooding eyes.

I wrote your beautiful name with an ordinary pen,
a tool unworthy for such an important act.
Ink fed spaces in my being filled with emptiness.
I was alone with the black shadow of my sorrow.

Your name is now writ in the Book of the Dead
making you no more dead than you already are,
lying quietly beneath the sky and granite where
no amount of rain nor weeping shall awaken you.

So I came to you and told you what I had done
but you greeted me with a thick silence
and your stone was cold to my embrace,
for I know it matters not where your name lies

as long as it is etched in my heart for eternity,
even that is not long enough for me to forget the pain
of losing you and the joy of loving you.
Your name cannot be erased from my heart,
nor now, from the Book of the Dead.

Reviews

[Rita L. Sev]

So eloquently written, this poem of both tribute and grief. Every stanza called me to pause and wallow in your words - your words which describe my feelings... My tears are tears of mourning, yes, but also of gratitude that someone understands. This is an amazing and deeply felt piece, Blue. Thank you for sharing this.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you for understanding what I am feeling. It still feels very raw and yesterday was an emotional day for me. Wallow is the perfect word when one tries to sort out feelings such as these. Thank you for such a beautiful and supportive comment.

[icelandicblue]

What a beautiful poem for your father Anne,
touches me deeply, you are so aware of your life,
and that your breath continues, when life stops ...

"So I came to you and told you what I had done
but you greeted me with a thick silence "

Never ever has a poem, made me feel as grounded
After reading your words... (strong wording).

You embrace him, in death, and are loving.

I didn't felt sad after reading this, that's the way
you brought this ode, and tribute, I feel he's just
as strong as he was, living through your personality... :)

Beautifully done my friend.

- Elisa x

[icelandicblue]

Elisa,

Thank you for such a beautiful review. You have touched my heart.

Anne, this was beautiful, no thanks... really well done, for your sweet father.

[LightforChrist]

This is such a beautiful poem! I can tell through the enormus amount of passion in each stanza that you were extremely close to your father. Excellent job and thank you so much for sharing this. :)

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much for your lovely review.

[BelleMell]

Holy Moly! This poem was incredibly beautiful. I felt each and every word hit me as I read it off in my mind. I sounded like a sonnet was being played as I read on. Very touching and extremely moving. I hope whoever you had in mind when you wrote this is overwhelmed with joy from these words. Excellent!

[WildWriter2600]

Awesome. Truly heartfelt. Eloquent. My condolences to you and your family.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much WildWriter.

I appreciate your thoughtful response.

[Tom]

A heartfelt emotionally penned eulogy to a man you cherished and held in the highest of esteem, your Dad!

You have paid your father a great honour and tribute through these eloquent lines and I'm sure he is very proud of You !

And thanks for sharing this touching poem!

[icelandicblue]

Oh Tom-

You are so very kind. Your words touched me.

[ARuth]

this is beautifully written. The words are carefully and wonderfully weaved. All I can feel, as I was reading the piece, are truly fresh and real emotions. You've really poured your heart to this. Thank you for the great write :)

[icelandicblue]

Thank you for your kind comments on this poem.

[Azure Montessa (Blue)]

Overflowing with sincere grief over the loss of a dearly beloved. Deeply touching to the core. :)

[icelandicblue]

Thank you for your thoughts and for reading this piece.

[David Scott]

Your poetry is heartbreaking. I have a dear friend who will never "get over" the loss of her father. She is happy and well adjusted, but the empty part of her heart will never be filled in this life.

Blue, I believe in The Book of Life. Your father's name may in fact be written there even as we write. You may have eternity to be with your father rather than only be missing him for a fraction of eternity.
Not to diminish the depth of your sorrow, but I pray you will be reunited again.

[icelandicblue]

Me too David and thank you for your comforting words. They do make a difference.

[T. Howell]

This poem is beautiful... it has evoked an emotion within me and caused tears to well up in my eyes. Thank you.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much for reading and for your heartfelt response.

[Grimesy]

This is beautiful yet somber at the same time. Very well written. Thank you.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you for your kind comment. It was a very sombre experience. I haven't quite recovered yet.