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When a Child Dies
When a Child Dies
by Laura Summerville Reed
There can be no more summer days
When a child dies
The sun hangs in the sky
Only to blister our skin and
Remind us of the blinding pain
When a child dies
Trees are only dull wood
Or sharp twigs
But
Will
Bear
No
Fruit
The pregnant clouds are ripe with mocking thunder
But quench no thirst for the wilted stem
When a child dies
There is no summer grain to be harvested
When a child dies
All falls fallow in the field
The mockingbirds forget each song
And silence chokes in their throats
When a child dies
And we will wake in the morning
To the blinding sun
Or the thundering clap of the gathering storm
As each drops rays or rain on
Green leaves and petal’d blooms
We will eat our daily bread and
Drink this bitter cup
As the birds chime their trill songs
In the still air surrounding
The great gaping wound
That is a thousand
Newly pulled teeth from our hearts
Because a child died
LSR 2010©
Comments
- Author
Thank you, C.J. and for letting me know which line most stood out to you. I always enjoying hearing if there's a word or phrase that makes a bit more impact. ~ Laura
"And silence chokes in their throats"...my favorite line. Awesome.
- Author
AP, thank you, I'm glad you let me know ~ L
I just can not get enough of this piece.
Thought you should know~
- Author
Thank you, Ahorseback, any tragedy involving our children can rip our hearts apart but losing them is simply unimaginable. ~ Laura
lalesu , I'm so glad now in later life that not everyone loses a child of course , what a horrible world it can turn lifes days into. Nice , I vote it up.
- Author
Thank you, AP...as always, I value your opinion greatly. ~ Laura
Very bold.. Fine Piece
- Author
YSO, thank you for stopping by to read and share your thoughts. I'm so sorry to hear that you're unable to be with your grandchildren. I hope there will be a happy resolution and reunion for you very soon. ~ Laura
lovely poem,the only thing worse than a child dying,is a living child that you are not allowed to see,or be near.To be prevented from seeing ones grandchildren due to stupid female jealousy and greed is the worst torture of all.keep up the good work.
- Author
Dear Joni, most grieving does soften with time but it still flairs up at the most unexpected moments, doesn't it? and the loss of a child is especially bittersweet in the remembering. Thank you for stopping by to share about your nephew. ~ Laura
Almost in tears reading this. Even after many years, the loss of my nephew feels unbearable at times. Time stopped for our family and your poem, so mournful, is touchingly full of life. Excellent! Thank you.
- Author
SilentReed, thank you for your kind and thoughtful words. ~ Laura
Pain and suffering so poignantly express even the gods could not endure but be touch by your poem.
- Author
Dearest Epigramman, you are so very kind and generous in you compliments, as always, thank you.
..yes our hearts and minds always receive this cathartic rush of excitement when we are graced by your words of pure poetry ...
- Author
Steele Fields, thank so very much for stopping by to read this, what a truly lovely thing to say. Your beautiful comment and compliment are so appreciated. ~ Laura
I,too, am touched by your poem and found it so sad that it was almost too difficult to read. But isn't that what poetry is all about? Bringing one to tears is the mark of a true poet. It's the reason we write-- to create an emotional connection with a reader. You have done that admirably.
- Author
Yes, Wayne Brown, you once again have a keen insight into the soul of my writing. Even in death life plods on, and things will eventually return to normal, but 'normal' will never return to the same spot ever again for those who bear the loss of a child.
This is a very touching piece of work, Laura. It would seem the world stands still when a child dies if only for a moment to mourn the loss of a life unlived. In that moment we also mourn for ourselves and the guilt we feel in being spared such an untimely death. The innocence of the child clasped in the grip of death's large hands...such a painful, painful loss. I notice at the end, the poem picks up in its stride as life once again tries to return to normalcy but not quite like it was. I get that sense in the way you changed pace. WB
- Author
MFB, as always, your comments are lovely, insightful works all to themselves, thank you. ~ Laura
You have caused me to ponder all the miscarriages that will never hold a baby on a woman's daily stroll, The tots that are taught the price of life, which is death far too young, The teens who are crushed between bent metal and glass, and the end of their passage to adulthood. All the abused and confused who are fused to the pain of being just another victim until their frail souls give out. The starving third world waifs, with bloated bellies and saucer sized eyes who waste away without hope. great write.~~~MFB III
- Author
Munirahmadmughal, thank you for reading and sharing your beautiful thoughts with me.
"When a Child Dies"
The moment of departing soul has been expressed in words most suitable to express. A gift, a favour, an endowment made and taken back to bear the loss irreparable and life long. WE all have come from Him, belong to Him and we all shall return unto him. Each soul is to taste the death. Those who forbear with patience, He loves them. Both death and life are creations and full of meaning and purpose. To lose is one thing to bear it is another and more difficult.
May God bless all and be merciful to all.
- Author
Nelieanna, thank you so much, your thoughts on my writing are always dear to me.
SilverGenes, your comments and compliments on this poem move me...deeply...thank you.
Ken, I so appreciate your kind words, thank you for the compliments and comments.
Laura all your words are so real and like others have described the loss of a child goes without saying is one of if not the greatest loss of all and a blow to a parent and their families.
I couldn't comprehend or fathom the hurt and pain that follows after the loss of a child. Your words written here will no doubt bring deep sorrow and sense of loss to many who caress this hub as a tear falls.
I found this very difficult to read simply because it was so powerful and dealt with a subject that for me is beyond comprehension. Death of a loved one at any age is difficult but the death of a child would always be "a great gaping wound'. Your talent for moving the soul with your words is immense.
This is good:
" . . .the blinding sun
Or the thundering clap of the gathering storm
As each drops rays or rain . . ."
I like the obviously great contrast between sun and storm, though to the grieving parent each drops its load of rays or rain in such a similar way at such a time.
- Author
Laurel, I'm always interested to know if a word or line stands out to someone, thank you for saying it's lovely.
"The pregnant clouds are ripe with mocking thunder...
when a child dies"
How terribly poignant. And lovely.
- Author
Hello Jen, you're welcome and let me thank you for saying it's beautiful. I so appreciate you stopping by and sharing about your friends. ~ Laura
Beautiful. Thank you. I have friends whose child recently passed away and this is a great poem to read after that sad day.
- Author
Thank you so very much, Augustine.
Another beautiful soliloquy...
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