Poetry
A Walk with Sorrow
by Robert B. Hamilton
I walked a mile with Pleasure,
She chattered all the way,
But left me none the wiser
For all she had to say.
I walked a mile with Sorrow,
And not a word said she,
But, oh, the things I learned
When Sorrow walked with me.
Little Boy Left Behind
By Sarah A. Kunz for her brother, John Paul Greni
TCF, Billings, MT
Oh, Little Boy Left Behind,
Where did you go,
When you could no longer play?
How did things end for you
At the close of the day…
Oh, Little Boy Left Behind,
What did you want to say,
When no one would listen
And everyone walked away…
No words were spoken
At the close of the day…
Oh, Little Boy Left Behind,
Why did your smile leave you so soon,
Taking all your laughter away…
All you had were tears
At the end of the day…
Oh, Little Boy Left Behind,
Why, Oh, Why,
Were you taken away?
Oh, Little Boy Left Behind,
Why did you turn away,
When things didn't go your way
Why didn't you stay?
Oh, Little Boy Left Behind,
Where are you now
On this lonely day?
Did you now find your way?
Oh, Little Boy Left Behind,
How do you fare,
Since you've gone Up There?
Have you learned to fly
With your new Wings?
Can you hear the Angels sing?
Oh, Little Boy Left Behind,
Did you not know,
WE LOVED YOU SO…
Letter to Mom
by Joy Curnutt
Mom, please don't feel guilty
It was just my time to go.
I see you are still feeling sad,
And the tears just seem to flow.
We all come to earth for our lifetime,
And for some it's not many years
I don't want you to keep crying
You are shedding so many tears.
I haven't really left you
Even though it may seem so.
I have just gone to my heavenly home,
And I'm closer to you than you know.
Just believe that when you say my name
I'm standing next to you,
I know you long to see me,
But there's nothing I can do.
But I'll still send you messages
And hope you understand,
That when your time comes to "cross over,"
I'll be there to take your hand.
In Loving Memory of I.K.E.
By Virginia Villaseñor
We remember you
Even when the world forgets
We remember your smile
Even when we can't find anything to smile about
We remember your laughter
Even when nothing is funny
We remember yellow is your favorite color
Even when it hurts to see it brightly displayed
We remember your tears
Even when we tried to comfort your pain
We remember the precious sounds you made
We remember your smell
Even if we never smell it again
We remember how you felt
Even if we can't hold you
We remember you
Even when it hurts the most
One day we will see you again
Sanctum
by Beulah B. Malkin
I built a tiny garden
In a corner of my heart
I kept it just for lovely things
And bade all else depart
And ever was there music
And flowers blossomed fair;
And never was it perfect
Until you entered there
I Am Learning How To Live
by Jamey Wysocki
I am learning how to live
In a new way
Since that day
You were taken away.
I am learning how to live
With the things left unsaid
Knowing I got to say them
With every tear that I shed.
I am learning how to live
By embracing the pain
Knowing that you live on
Through the memories that remain.
I am learning how to live
Knowing I will never again see your face
And I have peace knowing
You're in a better place.
I am learning how to live
Knowing you're in God's care
It gives me the strength to move on
And makes the pain much easier to bear.
The Beauty Places
by Edgar A. Guest
Here she walked and romped about,
And here beneath this apple tree
Where all the grass is trampled out
The swing she loved so used to be.
This path is but a path to you,
because my child you never knew.
'Twas here she used to stoop to smell
the first bright daffodil of spring;
'Twas here she often tripped and fell
And here she heard the robins sing.
You'd call this but a common place,
but you have never seen her face.
And it was here we used to meet
How beautiful a space is this,
to which she gayly raced to meet
her daddy with his evening kiss!
You see here nothing grand or fine,
but oh, what memories are mine!
The people pass from day to day
and never turn their heads to see
the many charms along the way
that mean so very much to me.
For all things here are speaking of
the babe that once was mine to love.
Love and Hope
by Kerry Marston
On a cold winter day, the sun went out,
Grief walked in to stay.
I turned away from the unwanted guest
And bid him on his way.
Grief was merciless, he brought his friends,
Loneliness, fear and despair.
They walked these rooms unceasingly
In the somber cloaks they wear.
Every so often now, love pays a call.
She always has hope by her side.
I welcome love as well as hope.
For I thought surely they had died.
Love counsels grief in a most gentle way,
Bids him be still for a while.
Then love walks with me through memory's hall,
And for a time—I can smile.
Outside His Bedroom Door
by Lyndie Sorenson
In memory of her brother, Joey Sorenso
I look into his private world,
Outside his bedroom door.
A place where he once laughed and lived,
a place he lives no more.
The friends who came to visit,
the bed where he did seep...
tears begin to cloud my eyes,
I stand as I do weep.
The desk where he did his homework,
the clothes that he did wear,
his life that he was living
without a single care.
Some pictures that were special,
a girlfriend's secret note.
His television he did watch,
on the table, his remote.
His hats sit on a rack now,
his helmet from his bike...
the memories are painful.
A life I do not like.
His cologne no longer lingers
as it did once in our home.
Visions of him by my side
but I just stand alone.
His pillow and his blanket
still sit upon his bed.
Waiting for him to come home,
lie down and place his head.
How I long for him to be here
in the safety of his room.
Nothing to ever harm him.
Our lives could then resume.
I look into his private world
outside his bedroom door.
A place where he once laughed and lived.
A place he lives no more
by Robert B. Hamilton
I walked a mile with Pleasure,
She chattered all the way,
But left me none the wiser
For all she had to say.
I walked a mile with Sorrow,
And not a word said she,
But, oh, the things I learned
When Sorrow walked with me.
Little Boy Left Behind
By Sarah A. Kunz for her brother, John Paul Greni
TCF, Billings, MT
Oh, Little Boy Left Behind,
Where did you go,
When you could no longer play?
How did things end for you
At the close of the day…
Oh, Little Boy Left Behind,
What did you want to say,
When no one would listen
And everyone walked away…
No words were spoken
At the close of the day…
Oh, Little Boy Left Behind,
Why did your smile leave you so soon,
Taking all your laughter away…
All you had were tears
At the end of the day…
Oh, Little Boy Left Behind,
Why, Oh, Why,
Were you taken away?
Oh, Little Boy Left Behind,
Why did you turn away,
When things didn't go your way
Why didn't you stay?
Oh, Little Boy Left Behind,
Where are you now
On this lonely day?
Did you now find your way?
Oh, Little Boy Left Behind,
How do you fare,
Since you've gone Up There?
Have you learned to fly
With your new Wings?
Can you hear the Angels sing?
Oh, Little Boy Left Behind,
Did you not know,
WE LOVED YOU SO…
Letter to Mom
by Joy Curnutt
Mom, please don't feel guilty
It was just my time to go.
I see you are still feeling sad,
And the tears just seem to flow.
We all come to earth for our lifetime,
And for some it's not many years
I don't want you to keep crying
You are shedding so many tears.
I haven't really left you
Even though it may seem so.
I have just gone to my heavenly home,
And I'm closer to you than you know.
Just believe that when you say my name
I'm standing next to you,
I know you long to see me,
But there's nothing I can do.
But I'll still send you messages
And hope you understand,
That when your time comes to "cross over,"
I'll be there to take your hand.
In Loving Memory of I.K.E.
By Virginia Villaseñor
We remember you
Even when the world forgets
We remember your smile
Even when we can't find anything to smile about
We remember your laughter
Even when nothing is funny
We remember yellow is your favorite color
Even when it hurts to see it brightly displayed
We remember your tears
Even when we tried to comfort your pain
We remember the precious sounds you made
We remember your smell
Even if we never smell it again
We remember how you felt
Even if we can't hold you
We remember you
Even when it hurts the most
One day we will see you again
Sanctum
by Beulah B. Malkin
I built a tiny garden
In a corner of my heart
I kept it just for lovely things
And bade all else depart
And ever was there music
And flowers blossomed fair;
And never was it perfect
Until you entered there
I Am Learning How To Live
by Jamey Wysocki
I am learning how to live
In a new way
Since that day
You were taken away.
I am learning how to live
With the things left unsaid
Knowing I got to say them
With every tear that I shed.
I am learning how to live
By embracing the pain
Knowing that you live on
Through the memories that remain.
I am learning how to live
Knowing I will never again see your face
And I have peace knowing
You're in a better place.
I am learning how to live
Knowing you're in God's care
It gives me the strength to move on
And makes the pain much easier to bear.
The Beauty Places
by Edgar A. Guest
Here she walked and romped about,
And here beneath this apple tree
Where all the grass is trampled out
The swing she loved so used to be.
This path is but a path to you,
because my child you never knew.
'Twas here she used to stoop to smell
the first bright daffodil of spring;
'Twas here she often tripped and fell
And here she heard the robins sing.
You'd call this but a common place,
but you have never seen her face.
And it was here we used to meet
How beautiful a space is this,
to which she gayly raced to meet
her daddy with his evening kiss!
You see here nothing grand or fine,
but oh, what memories are mine!
The people pass from day to day
and never turn their heads to see
the many charms along the way
that mean so very much to me.
For all things here are speaking of
the babe that once was mine to love.
Love and Hope
by Kerry Marston
On a cold winter day, the sun went out,
Grief walked in to stay.
I turned away from the unwanted guest
And bid him on his way.
Grief was merciless, he brought his friends,
Loneliness, fear and despair.
They walked these rooms unceasingly
In the somber cloaks they wear.
Every so often now, love pays a call.
She always has hope by her side.
I welcome love as well as hope.
For I thought surely they had died.
Love counsels grief in a most gentle way,
Bids him be still for a while.
Then love walks with me through memory's hall,
And for a time—I can smile.
Outside His Bedroom Door
by Lyndie Sorenson
In memory of her brother, Joey Sorenso
I look into his private world,
Outside his bedroom door.
A place where he once laughed and lived,
a place he lives no more.
The friends who came to visit,
the bed where he did seep...
tears begin to cloud my eyes,
I stand as I do weep.
The desk where he did his homework,
the clothes that he did wear,
his life that he was living
without a single care.
Some pictures that were special,
a girlfriend's secret note.
His television he did watch,
on the table, his remote.
His hats sit on a rack now,
his helmet from his bike...
the memories are painful.
A life I do not like.
His cologne no longer lingers
as it did once in our home.
Visions of him by my side
but I just stand alone.
His pillow and his blanket
still sit upon his bed.
Waiting for him to come home,
lie down and place his head.
How I long for him to be here
in the safety of his room.
Nothing to ever harm him.
Our lives could then resume.
I look into his private world
outside his bedroom door.
A place where he once laughed and lived.
A place he lives no more
Butterfly
By Jeanne Schweigert, Kymmy's Mom
TCF, Billings, MT
Butterfly...flutter by.
Lift your wings up to the sky.
You came, you lived, you loved, you left.
Why, oh why, did you have to die?
Now I watch and sigh and sometimes cry,
When I see a butterfly flutter by.
Butterfly...flutter by.
Such color and variety,
In such a floating, tranquil flight.
When you fly by, my child I see,
As the beautiful, graceful young girl she would be.
Fluttering by, like a butterfly.
Rest in Peace
Dedicated to my brother, Brad
By Dever Herman
TCF, Billings, MT
So tantalizing, like the touch of a beautiful girl,
Dawn approaches,
I watch the unforgettable sun rise from a torrid existence.
As I wipe teardrops of sorrow from my face, I begin to
collect my thoughts.
Go in peace my friend.
Your memory shall forever be frozen in time.
We shall still dance as the music plays.
A consistent bout of questions can't help but invade my
dreams.
Asking for answers is like wishing upon the brightest star.
I hope you can hear my words from heaven's gates.
Look down upon me and smile.
Sit on my shoulder and bring me your wisdom
Never shall I forget all those memorable times.
Sorry my brother, I wish I could have saved you.
Until we meet again, rest in peace my friend.
A Poem For The Grieving
By Mary Frye
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.
Untitled
by John Henry Newman
And with the morn those angel faces smile
Which I have loved long since and lost awhile.
Tears in Heaven
by Eric Clapton
Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would it be the same
If I saw you in Heaven?
I must be strong
And carry on
'cause I know
I don't belong
Here in Heaven.
Would you hold my hand
If I saw you in Heaven?
Would you help me stand
If I saw you in Heaven?
I'll find my way
Through night and day
'cause I know
I just can't stay
Here in Heaven.
Time can bring you down;
Time can bend your knees.
Time can break your heart;
Have you begging please
...begging please.
Beyond the door
There's peace I'm sure
And I know
There'll be no more
Tears in Heaven.
Untitled
by Author Unknown
If tears could build a stairway,
And memories a lane,
I'd walk right up to Heaven
And bring you home again.
Smile for the Ages
by Todd Nigro (Ellie's Dad)
Ellie, each day with you was special,
it's hard to express,
I loved your voice, smile, laugh,
and your sweet tenderness.
Your joyful, playful spirit
was such a contagious one,
A minute in your presence
was bursting with fun.
I always enjoyed our adventures
playing on the beach,
It's heart breaking to realize
you're not within my reach.
You were so amazing
and beautiful in so many ways,
Sincere, giving, and loving
through all of your days.
I wish I could hug you right now,
why did you have to go?
These days are hard without you,
but this you should know,
When the day comes to join you
in that heavenly place,
A beautiful smile for the ages
will be on my face!
Holding
by Washington Gladded
In the bitter waves of woe,
Beaten and tossed about,
By the sullen winds that blow,
From the desolate shores of doubt,
Where the anchors that faith has cast
Are dragging in the gale,
I am quietly holding fast
To the things that cannot fail.
The Gift of Someone Who Listens
by Nancy Myerholts
TCF, Toledo, OH
Those of us who have traveled a while
along this path called grief,
need to stop and remember that mile,
the first mile of no relief.
It wasn't the person with answers,
who told us the way to deal.
It wasn't the one who talked and talked
that helped us start to heal.
Think of the friends who quietly sat
and held our hands in theirs,
the ones who let us talk and talk,
and hugged away our tears.
We need to always remember that,
more than the words we speak,
it's the gift of someone who listens
that most of us desperately seek.
The Long Road Back
by Betty Kenna
TCF, United Kingdom
Lost in a pit of deep despair
darkness and grief and pain,
searching to find someone who'd care
who'd give me hope again.
I saw a sign like shining gold,
found where the rainbow ends,
pointing towards a rocky road,
it said "Compassionate Friends".
Thinking it would not hurt to try,
for what could hurt me more?
I sadly made my weary way,
and gently tried the door.
A flood of warmth came out to me,
soft voices seemed to say,
"come in my friend and share your grief,
We'll help you on your way.
We too have walked the same sad path,
and sought a helping hand,
and we have found so many friends
who care and understand."
My long road back began that day,
and though it often bends,
my love and thanks go out to all
my dear Compassionate Friends.
Bring My Child Back to Me
By Barbara Patterson
TCF, Conquitlam, BC
Whisper, whisper, wind in the woods,
Bring back my child, here where he stood,
Let him laugh, let him shout, let him giggle with glee,
Wind in the woods, bring my child back to me.
Silence of morning, dew on the grass,
Give me peace in my soul, let this time pass.
Let my child sit beside me, let the two of us be,
Silence of morning, bring my child back to me.
Middle of the night, so dark and so still,
Let me relax and remember at will,
Let my child in my thoughts drift forever to see,
Middle of the night bring my child back to me.
Sunrise and sunset, beginning and end,
Give me a day with my child, my friend.
We'll run on the beach, we'll play in the sea,
Sunrise and sunset, bring my child back to me.
Memories, memories here in my head.
Don't ever leave me, even though my child's dead.
Keep him alive, keep him strong, keep him free.
Memories of mine, bring my child back to me
By Jeanne Schweigert, Kymmy's Mom
TCF, Billings, MT
Butterfly...flutter by.
Lift your wings up to the sky.
You came, you lived, you loved, you left.
Why, oh why, did you have to die?
Now I watch and sigh and sometimes cry,
When I see a butterfly flutter by.
Butterfly...flutter by.
Such color and variety,
In such a floating, tranquil flight.
When you fly by, my child I see,
As the beautiful, graceful young girl she would be.
Fluttering by, like a butterfly.
Rest in Peace
Dedicated to my brother, Brad
By Dever Herman
TCF, Billings, MT
So tantalizing, like the touch of a beautiful girl,
Dawn approaches,
I watch the unforgettable sun rise from a torrid existence.
As I wipe teardrops of sorrow from my face, I begin to
collect my thoughts.
Go in peace my friend.
Your memory shall forever be frozen in time.
We shall still dance as the music plays.
A consistent bout of questions can't help but invade my
dreams.
Asking for answers is like wishing upon the brightest star.
I hope you can hear my words from heaven's gates.
Look down upon me and smile.
Sit on my shoulder and bring me your wisdom
Never shall I forget all those memorable times.
Sorry my brother, I wish I could have saved you.
Until we meet again, rest in peace my friend.
A Poem For The Grieving
By Mary Frye
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.
Untitled
by John Henry Newman
And with the morn those angel faces smile
Which I have loved long since and lost awhile.
Tears in Heaven
by Eric Clapton
Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would it be the same
If I saw you in Heaven?
I must be strong
And carry on
'cause I know
I don't belong
Here in Heaven.
Would you hold my hand
If I saw you in Heaven?
Would you help me stand
If I saw you in Heaven?
I'll find my way
Through night and day
'cause I know
I just can't stay
Here in Heaven.
Time can bring you down;
Time can bend your knees.
Time can break your heart;
Have you begging please
...begging please.
Beyond the door
There's peace I'm sure
And I know
There'll be no more
Tears in Heaven.
Untitled
by Author Unknown
If tears could build a stairway,
And memories a lane,
I'd walk right up to Heaven
And bring you home again.
Smile for the Ages
by Todd Nigro (Ellie's Dad)
Ellie, each day with you was special,
it's hard to express,
I loved your voice, smile, laugh,
and your sweet tenderness.
Your joyful, playful spirit
was such a contagious one,
A minute in your presence
was bursting with fun.
I always enjoyed our adventures
playing on the beach,
It's heart breaking to realize
you're not within my reach.
You were so amazing
and beautiful in so many ways,
Sincere, giving, and loving
through all of your days.
I wish I could hug you right now,
why did you have to go?
These days are hard without you,
but this you should know,
When the day comes to join you
in that heavenly place,
A beautiful smile for the ages
will be on my face!
Holding
by Washington Gladded
In the bitter waves of woe,
Beaten and tossed about,
By the sullen winds that blow,
From the desolate shores of doubt,
Where the anchors that faith has cast
Are dragging in the gale,
I am quietly holding fast
To the things that cannot fail.
The Gift of Someone Who Listens
by Nancy Myerholts
TCF, Toledo, OH
Those of us who have traveled a while
along this path called grief,
need to stop and remember that mile,
the first mile of no relief.
It wasn't the person with answers,
who told us the way to deal.
It wasn't the one who talked and talked
that helped us start to heal.
Think of the friends who quietly sat
and held our hands in theirs,
the ones who let us talk and talk,
and hugged away our tears.
We need to always remember that,
more than the words we speak,
it's the gift of someone who listens
that most of us desperately seek.
The Long Road Back
by Betty Kenna
TCF, United Kingdom
Lost in a pit of deep despair
darkness and grief and pain,
searching to find someone who'd care
who'd give me hope again.
I saw a sign like shining gold,
found where the rainbow ends,
pointing towards a rocky road,
it said "Compassionate Friends".
Thinking it would not hurt to try,
for what could hurt me more?
I sadly made my weary way,
and gently tried the door.
A flood of warmth came out to me,
soft voices seemed to say,
"come in my friend and share your grief,
We'll help you on your way.
We too have walked the same sad path,
and sought a helping hand,
and we have found so many friends
who care and understand."
My long road back began that day,
and though it often bends,
my love and thanks go out to all
my dear Compassionate Friends.
Bring My Child Back to Me
By Barbara Patterson
TCF, Conquitlam, BC
Whisper, whisper, wind in the woods,
Bring back my child, here where he stood,
Let him laugh, let him shout, let him giggle with glee,
Wind in the woods, bring my child back to me.
Silence of morning, dew on the grass,
Give me peace in my soul, let this time pass.
Let my child sit beside me, let the two of us be,
Silence of morning, bring my child back to me.
Middle of the night, so dark and so still,
Let me relax and remember at will,
Let my child in my thoughts drift forever to see,
Middle of the night bring my child back to me.
Sunrise and sunset, beginning and end,
Give me a day with my child, my friend.
We'll run on the beach, we'll play in the sea,
Sunrise and sunset, bring my child back to me.
Memories, memories here in my head.
Don't ever leave me, even though my child's dead.
Keep him alive, keep him strong, keep him free.
Memories of mine, bring my child back to me