Someone Is Grieving: Say What You Feel In Poetry

Each of us some day sooner or later will lose someone. The hardest thing is to know what to say to the grieving family. Why not send a poem? At least it will keep you from putting your foot in your mouth.

 

I Would Not Be the Sun to End Your Night

( Nicholas Gordon by permission)

         

I would not be the sun to end your night,

Nor would I be the wall to turn your tears.

But I will watch with you until it's light.

Because there are no words to set things right

Nor hopes that one immersed in mourning hears,

I would not be the sun to end your night,

Offering a wisdom far too bright

To soothe your pain or put to rest your fears.

But I will watch with you until it's light.

There must be time to grieve that sorrow might

Be equal to the love of days and years.

I would not be the sun to end your night.

For grief, before it breaks, must reach its height,

And tides must turn before one homeward steers.

But I will watch with you until it's light.

There are agonies no friendship can requite,

A bitterness unstained till dawn appears.

I would not be the sun to end your night.

But I will watch with you until it's light.