.
She pouts in a corner
it seems
the gods play rough
.
at times
crushing her breath
into a knot
.
pulling her head-first
through a barrel
of tear-salt
.
staining her face
with keens
shoulders wracked
.
it should have been me
I’m old
he was young.
.
She folds
into a corner
when the gods play rough.
.
.
© 2017 Betty Hayes Albright
.
Seasonings 
Always impossible to impose logic on random acts of the universe…there is fairness in it.
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Yes, it all balances out in the end…
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Such heart felt emotions for your son. A deeply felt love here. Be well.
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Thanks, Renee. Every so often there’s a new wave of grief that has to be processed poetically. Therapeutic I guess, though maybe I shouldn’t post them.
Hope you’ve been having some good days. You be well too!
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No. Post them. Let us feel with you, for a moment or two. Best wishes …
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My gratitude for your kindness. I feel better about posting this, thanks to your comment. ❤️
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❤
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My thoughts are with you, Betty. Praying you’ve found comfort today. ♡
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Thank you, Audrey. ❤️
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The winner takes it all … ABBA. I wonder if people knew the name of the band meant – father?
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I didn’t know that, Peter. (Good song, loved the group!)
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Take comfort – you have a great husband and a great son in Jason.
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That is true, Homer, thank you.
Hope all’s well with you and family!
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I’m glad you posted this too. It’s so heartfelt and dignified at the same time. It’s rare to find these qualities in one poem. I only hope you find some peace soon.
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Thank you, I appreciate your comment very much. I’m learning that grief is like the ocean, wave after wave hitting the rocks till the tide goes out and there’s peace for awhile. Others who have been through this have told me it’ll get easier in time but losing a son or daughter leaves a void that one never truly gets over. My parents lost my brother to polio when we were kids and they never got over that. Looking back I truly don’t know how they managed. But I’m digressing…. Thanks for letting me express all this.
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Thank you for your patience in expressing it so clearly. I don’t think anyone is meant to ‘get over’ such a loss. It is a meaningless concept. All we can do is adjust to the presence of an empty space within us and remember.
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Very well said, thank you.
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Life is so unfair, we should not see our children die. Your son is in your 💓 forget the gods they never play fair they just do what they do. 💜💜💜 Thinking of you as always. 💜
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Thank you for your kind thoughts, Willow. You’re in my thoughts as well. 💕💞💓
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Thank you Betty we can support eachother! 💜
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Yes we can! ❣️💓💕💞
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Indeed 💜
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Betty, this is so emotional, and yes, I believe it is therapeutic for you to write about. It is such an incredible loss that it would be so great to bear it. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Powerful poem. Much love.
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Thank you, Lana, for your compassionate words. It’s been seven months now since he passed unexpectedly and it just keeps hitting over and over. There’ll never be closure as I didn’t get to say goodbye. Was 150 miles away from him.
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I understand, Betty. That is so difficult. I’m still working through my mother’s death and that was in April. I often wonder if I will ever get over it. I’m sending you much love and a big hug. xoxo
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Lana, I’m sorry for the loss of your mother. That’s another hard one. (My mom died a year before my son, so I can empathize with you.)
Take care, and thank you again. ❤️
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Thank you, Betty. These are hard things, but we will get through them. Take good care, and I look forward to reading your beautiful poetry. xoxo
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Betty, you’ve borne something unbearable. I don’t know how you did it, I don’t know how you write about it so eloquently. Perhaps poetry is what saves you. This poem is raw but tender, angry and accepting – I wish I could ease your pain. To lose a child – so out of order, if there is any order in the universe.
Much love to you from me.
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Sharon, thank you so much for that. You’re right, it has been the poetry, and also meditation every day, that has kept me going. I’m also acquainted with a few other parents who have lost children and it helps to give each other support. Your own compassion is very much appreciated. Love to you also, Sharon.
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I took the liberty of adjusting the ‘had’ for you.
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Thank you! 😆
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And what else to do … I, too fold into corners from time to time. Wishing you peace, Betty. Sending you love ❤
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Thank you, Bela. Love and peace back to you. 💕💞
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Oh, Betty, this poem goes straight to the heart. No parent should have to endure the loss of a child at any age, and grief is different for everyone; it has no time frame. But, I do hope you find peace soon, and until then, keep writing to work your way to that comfort. Sending big hugs, my friend xoxo
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Thank you, Lauren. They say the first year is the hardest – so I just have to get through the next five months into June. My older son is also having a hard time and it hurts to see him hurting so much. (They were 18 months apart and best friends.)
Anyway, I appreciate your kind words and the hugs. 💕💞🌼
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My heart aches reading your comment, Betty. I know it’s hard for you, but knowing how your other son is hurting, that’s almost unbearable. My sisters are the same age difference; I’m ten years younger than them. We’re all close, though. Somehow try to stay busy, and write if that helps you, and I’m always here to listen if you need. Sending healing hugs again…💓🌹🌹
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Much appreciated, Lauren – your compassionate words are comforting. Am keeping as busy as possible.
Hope you’ve been having a good weekend! ❤️💞💕
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may the tears
& grief
water flowers
for a beautiful
future, Betty!
happy 2018 🙂
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Thank you, David, for such a comforting thought. A Happy New Year to you also! ☮️🕉️
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Happy New Year my friend and you’ve gifted the world with your beautiful touching words, sadness felt over these sentences but you’ve proven yet again how talented your soul is ❤
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Thank you, Kim, for such a sweet comment. 💕
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Such a moving and insightful poem, Betty. I feel it in my gut.
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Thank you very much, Cynthia. I’m glad my poem communicated its grief viscerally, though I don’t wish this experience on anyone.
Hope you’re having a good 2018 so far. It’s wonderful that your book is doing so well!
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Don’t they. Imagine me beside you comforting you as I do similar. News here has been less than stellar recently. May your writing help you deal with your grief, Betty.
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Ben, thank you, that means a whole lot to me. I’m sorry you’ve had “less than stellar” news. Imagine my being there to comfort you as well. Still wishing I had a magic wand.
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Thank you so much, Betty.
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