My Human Condition

The loss of a parent...

WHY?!

Why did you have to leave?

After all you endured.

 

Your absent heartbeat,

Rips a gaping wound

Dead center in my chest

Eyes bleed rivers of tears

As grief renders me useless,

Broken, like a disregarded toy.

 

Submitting to the greedy demands of sorrow

It feels like there won’t be tomorrow

When this is done,

I’ll never be whole again.

 

This is the type of darkness

That impregnates the heart

A numbing presence,

Determined to savor the world

As it falls apart.

 

The tragic truth surrounding today,

For the first time since I was born

You’ve gone where I can not follow

It is not my time to see what’s beyond,

What promises are upon the morrow.

 

There are tender moments filled with certainty

Where something tells me we will meet again

When the hands of time stand forever still

And grief no longer breaks fragile hearts

Where we are free from conditions

Otherwise known to hamper the spirit;

That’s the place I’ll walk with you…

When my time comes.

 

But until that saving grace lifts my weary soul

Sorrow will take residence within this fractured body

Because to miss your smile

And to mourn the loss of all that you are

Is my human condition.

Author's Note

This is for my best friend, who lost her dad this week. After winning his 2nd battle with cancer, his heart just gave out while mowing his lawn.

Reviews

[Onku Ghosh]

A very sad and touching poem.........beautifully penned.It takes a very long time to get over the loss of a loved one.......but can we ever get over the loss ?

[Traci]

My condolences to your friend as I know firsthand the pain she feels. The greatest blessing is her memories and a good friend like you! Losing a parent is probably the hardest thing a person goes through, unfortunately time does not lessen the pain, we only find ways to cope because everything changes. Holidays are the hardest. My mom has been gone 3 years, but it feels like just yesterday.

"Submitting to the greedy demands of sorrow
It feels like there won’t be tomorrow
When this is done,
I’ll never be whole again."

Absolutely correct. That void will never be filled.

"This is the type of darkness
That impregnates the heart"

Such strong emotion and pain in these words. Emotional pain is so much stronger than physical pain at times and you captured the intensity wonderfully in these lines.

"There are tender moments filled with certainty
Where something tells me we will meet again
When the hands of time stand forever still
And grief no longer breaks fragile hearts"

I love this part! Great job Kristin, added this to my favorites.

[Angi]

It just plain hurts, Kristin! Years don't lessen the ache. My dad is gone almost 11 years and I long to talk to him. I am so sorry for your friend. Angi~

[Astro]

It is the human experience to experience pain, and there is none so piercing as emotional pain. Loss is not defined by the absence of a familiar soul, but by its permanent adoption by us into our own hearts which, in turn, weighs us down until we are made strong enough to bear it. A very touching piece from you Kristen. In this line, I suggest adding 'a' before 'tomorrow' "It feels like there won’t be tomorrow". I love this part,
"There are tender moments filled with certainty
Where something tells me we will meet again
When the hands of time stand forever still (suggestion: "stand still forever")
And grief no longer breaks fragile hearts"

Emotionally mature and beautifully human.

[Sami Khalil]

"Submitting to the greedy demands of sorrow
It feels like there won’t be tomorrow
When this is done,
I’ll never be whole again.

This is the type of darkness
That impregnates the heart"
Wow. So sad and heartbreaking. You are so right we have to surrender to those emotions and let them take over the mind to be in that stage of utter loss of human condition. We are in a constant battle in this life for sometimes we win and others we lose. Thank you for sharing all...:)

[Rita L. Sev]

You’ve gone where I can not follow...

I lost my father 10 years ago - I still feel all that you have expressed in this heartfelt write. This is beautiful empathy, Kristin.

[Kris]

That's heartbreaking. This powerful piece makes me scared of going another day without calling up my parents and telling them I love them. I love this with a deep tragic sadness in the pit of my stomach. Wonderfully written. My sincerest condolences to your friend, and thank you for sharing this with us, Kristin.

[Jack...]

So sad but such a beautiful tribute for your friend Kristin. I'm sure it will help her cope with her loss, not only the poem but knowing what a good friend you are.