1
River of Sorrow
by Todd Nigro
Drinking from the waters of sorrow
sustains a different kind of life.
This river is hidden
from the rest of the world.
Tears drip from my chin and fall into
an endless flow of liquid love.
This river sparkles with beauty.
by Todd Nigro
Drinking from the waters of sorrow
sustains a different kind of life.
This river is hidden
from the rest of the world.
Tears drip from my chin and fall into
an endless flow of liquid love.
This river sparkles with beauty.
Check out our new page called Grief Poems (AI) for more incredible poetry created with the assistance of AI.
2
Tis a Fearful Thing
by Yehuda HaLevi (1075 – 1141)
‘Tis a fearful thing
to love what death can touch.
A fearful thing
to love, to hope, to dream, to be –
to be,
And oh, to lose.
A thing for fools, this,
And a holy thing,
a holy thing
to love.
For your life has lived in me,
your laugh once lifted me,
your word was gift to me.
To remember this brings painful joy.
‘Tis a human thing, love,
a holy thing, to love
what death has touched.
by Yehuda HaLevi (1075 – 1141)
‘Tis a fearful thing
to love what death can touch.
A fearful thing
to love, to hope, to dream, to be –
to be,
And oh, to lose.
A thing for fools, this,
And a holy thing,
a holy thing
to love.
For your life has lived in me,
your laugh once lifted me,
your word was gift to me.
To remember this brings painful joy.
‘Tis a human thing, love,
a holy thing, to love
what death has touched.
3
The Thing Is
by Ellen Bass
to love life, to love it even
when you have no stomach for it
and everything you’ve held dear
crumbles like burnt paper in your hands,
your throat filled with the silt of it.
When grief sits with you, its tropical heat
thickening the air, heavy as water
more fit for gills than lungs;
when grief weights you like your own flesh
only more of it, an obesity of grief,
you think, How can a body withstand this?
Then you hold life like a face
between your palms, a plain face,
no charming smile, no violet eyes,
and you say, yes, I will take you
I will love you, again.
by Ellen Bass
to love life, to love it even
when you have no stomach for it
and everything you’ve held dear
crumbles like burnt paper in your hands,
your throat filled with the silt of it.
When grief sits with you, its tropical heat
thickening the air, heavy as water
more fit for gills than lungs;
when grief weights you like your own flesh
only more of it, an obesity of grief,
you think, How can a body withstand this?
Then you hold life like a face
between your palms, a plain face,
no charming smile, no violet eyes,
and you say, yes, I will take you
I will love you, again.
4
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
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
5
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.
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.
6
The Sailing Ship
by Luther F. Beecher (1813–1903)
What is dying?
I am standing on the seashore.
A ship sails to the morning breeze
and starts for the ocean.
She is an object
and I stand watching her
Till at last she fades from the horizon,
And someone at my side says,
“She is gone!” Gone where?
Gone from my sight, that is all;
She is just as large in the masts,
hull and spars
as she was when I saw her,
And just as able to bear her load
of living freight to its destination.
The diminished size and total loss
of sight is in me, not in her;
And just at the moment when someone
at my side says, “She is gone”,
There are others who are watching her coming,
And other voices take up a glad shout,
“There she comes” – and that is dying.
by Luther F. Beecher (1813–1903)
What is dying?
I am standing on the seashore.
A ship sails to the morning breeze
and starts for the ocean.
She is an object
and I stand watching her
Till at last she fades from the horizon,
And someone at my side says,
“She is gone!” Gone where?
Gone from my sight, that is all;
She is just as large in the masts,
hull and spars
as she was when I saw her,
And just as able to bear her load
of living freight to its destination.
The diminished size and total loss
of sight is in me, not in her;
And just at the moment when someone
at my side says, “She is gone”,
There are others who are watching her coming,
And other voices take up a glad shout,
“There she comes” – and that is dying.
7
Awaiting
by G W (Bill) Marshall
Oh,little man your stay was short
You never knew this world of distress,
But you brought loving comfort,
To where God chose to bless.
In our quiet times together alone,
I shall always cherish until that day
When death shall find me and atone,
And we both are home to stay.
I shall await and always look forward,
For looking back brings only tears
And you are now safe with the Lord,
Awaiting when I finish my years.
G W Marshall / 12 September, 2013
by G W (Bill) Marshall
Oh,little man your stay was short
You never knew this world of distress,
But you brought loving comfort,
To where God chose to bless.
In our quiet times together alone,
I shall always cherish until that day
When death shall find me and atone,
And we both are home to stay.
I shall await and always look forward,
For looking back brings only tears
And you are now safe with the Lord,
Awaiting when I finish my years.
G W Marshall / 12 September, 2013
8
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!
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!
9
Safely Home
by Author Unknown
I am home in heaven, dear ones;
Oh, so happy and so bright.
There is a perfect joy and beauty
in this everlasting light.
All the pain and grief is over,
every restless tossing passed;
I am now at peace forever,
safely home in heaven at last.
Did you wonder I so calmly
Trod the valley of the shade?
Oh, but Jesus’ love illuminated
Every dark and fearful glade.
And He came Himself to meet me
in the way so hard to tread;
And with Jesus’ arm to lean on
could I have one doubt or dread?
Then you must not grieve so sorely,
for I love you dearly still.
Try to look beyond death’s shadows;
Pray to trust our Father’s will.
There is work still waiting for you,
so you must not idly stand.
Do it now, while life remaineth;
you shall rest in Jesus’ land.
When that work is all completed,
He will gently call you home;
Oh, the rapture of that meeting;
Oh, the joy to see you come!
by Author Unknown
I am home in heaven, dear ones;
Oh, so happy and so bright.
There is a perfect joy and beauty
in this everlasting light.
All the pain and grief is over,
every restless tossing passed;
I am now at peace forever,
safely home in heaven at last.
Did you wonder I so calmly
Trod the valley of the shade?
Oh, but Jesus’ love illuminated
Every dark and fearful glade.
And He came Himself to meet me
in the way so hard to tread;
And with Jesus’ arm to lean on
could I have one doubt or dread?
Then you must not grieve so sorely,
for I love you dearly still.
Try to look beyond death’s shadows;
Pray to trust our Father’s will.
There is work still waiting for you,
so you must not idly stand.
Do it now, while life remaineth;
you shall rest in Jesus’ land.
When that work is all completed,
He will gently call you home;
Oh, the rapture of that meeting;
Oh, the joy to see you come!
10
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.
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.
11
Ellie’s Eyes
by G W (Bill) Marshall / January 21, 2013
I see Heaven’s wonder in her face,
And the love of God in her eyes,
That only visited this lowly place,
And then return above the skies.
Such understanding in a child,
And compassion only angels share,
Is best kept where it’s not defiled,
While angels watch her waiting there.
There is a promise of His reward,
For those who turn away from sin,
But a sinless child has His accord,
For salvation has e’er been within.
The beauty of Heaven’s nightly skies,
Where His endless worlds may rise,
Is like the depths of her curious eyes,
Where beyond her soul never dies.
by G W (Bill) Marshall / January 21, 2013
I see Heaven’s wonder in her face,
And the love of God in her eyes,
That only visited this lowly place,
And then return above the skies.
Such understanding in a child,
And compassion only angels share,
Is best kept where it’s not defiled,
While angels watch her waiting there.
There is a promise of His reward,
For those who turn away from sin,
But a sinless child has His accord,
For salvation has e’er been within.
The beauty of Heaven’s nightly skies,
Where His endless worlds may rise,
Is like the depths of her curious eyes,
Where beyond her soul never dies.
12
I’m Free
by Shannon Lee Moseley
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free.
I’m following the path God has chosen for me.
I took His hand when I heard Him call;
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day,
to laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way;
I’ve found now peace at the end of the day.
If my parting has left a void,
then fill it with remembered joys.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss;
Oh yes, these things, I too will l miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
look for the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I savored much;
good friends, good times, a loved ones touch.
Perhaps my time seems all too brief;
don’t lengthen your time with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and peace to thee,
God wanted me now – He set me free.
by Shannon Lee Moseley
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free.
I’m following the path God has chosen for me.
I took His hand when I heard Him call;
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day,
to laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way;
I’ve found now peace at the end of the day.
If my parting has left a void,
then fill it with remembered joys.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss;
Oh yes, these things, I too will l miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
look for the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I savored much;
good friends, good times, a loved ones touch.
Perhaps my time seems all too brief;
don’t lengthen your time with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and peace to thee,
God wanted me now – He set me free.
13
Second Sowing
by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
For whom
The milk ungiven in the breast
When the child is gone?
For whom the love locked up in the heart
That is left alone?
That golden yield
Split sod once, overflowed an August field,
Threshed out in pain upon September’s floor,
Now hoarded high in barns, a sterile store.
Break down the bolted door;
Rip open, spread and pour
The grain upon the barren ground
Wherever crack in clod is found.
There is no harvest for the heart alone;
The seed of love must be
Eternally
Resown.
by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
For whom
The milk ungiven in the breast
When the child is gone?
For whom the love locked up in the heart
That is left alone?
That golden yield
Split sod once, overflowed an August field,
Threshed out in pain upon September’s floor,
Now hoarded high in barns, a sterile store.
Break down the bolted door;
Rip open, spread and pour
The grain upon the barren ground
Wherever crack in clod is found.
There is no harvest for the heart alone;
The seed of love must be
Eternally
Resown.
14
God’s Lent Child
by Author Unknown
I’ll lend you for a little while,
a child of mine, God said
For you to love the while he lives
and mourn for when he’s dead.
It may be six or seven years,
or forty-two or three
But will you, till I call him back,
take care of him for me?
He’ll bring his charms to gladden you
and should his stay be brief
You’ll always have his memories
as a solace in your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay,
since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught below
I want this child to learn.
I’ve looked this whole world over
in my search for teachers true
And from the folk that crowd Life’s lane
I have chosen you.
Now will you give him all your love
and not think the labour vain,
Nor hate me when I come to take
this lent child back again?
I fancy that I heard them say
“Dear God, thy will be done.
For all the joys this child will bring
the risk of grief we’ll run.
We will shelter him with tenderness,
we’ll love him while we may
And for all the happiness we’ve ever known,
we’ll ever grateful stay.
But should the angels call him
much sooner than we’d planned
We will brave the bitter grief that comes
and try to understand.”
by Author Unknown
I’ll lend you for a little while,
a child of mine, God said
For you to love the while he lives
and mourn for when he’s dead.
It may be six or seven years,
or forty-two or three
But will you, till I call him back,
take care of him for me?
He’ll bring his charms to gladden you
and should his stay be brief
You’ll always have his memories
as a solace in your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay,
since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught below
I want this child to learn.
I’ve looked this whole world over
in my search for teachers true
And from the folk that crowd Life’s lane
I have chosen you.
Now will you give him all your love
and not think the labour vain,
Nor hate me when I come to take
this lent child back again?
I fancy that I heard them say
“Dear God, thy will be done.
For all the joys this child will bring
the risk of grief we’ll run.
We will shelter him with tenderness,
we’ll love him while we may
And for all the happiness we’ve ever known,
we’ll ever grateful stay.
But should the angels call him
much sooner than we’d planned
We will brave the bitter grief that comes
and try to understand.”
15
Why?
Author Unknown
Why?
That’s what we ask.
The truth is,
we may never be able
to know for sure why.
But we do know
that there is no single
“should have done” or
“could have done”
or “did” or “didn’t do”
that would have changed that why.
All that love could do was done.
Author Unknown
Why?
That’s what we ask.
The truth is,
we may never be able
to know for sure why.
But we do know
that there is no single
“should have done” or
“could have done”
or “did” or “didn’t do”
that would have changed that why.
All that love could do was done.
16
If I Could
by G W (Bill) Marshall / Dec 08, 2012
If I could but see, again your face,
Oh how much my heart would race,
And nothing could ever efface,
The mem’ry of our last embrace.
If I could climb to Heaven’s gate
And just look in to watch awhile,
Then I know I could joyfully wait,
If I could see your happy smile.
If I could hear the song you sing
And your laughter bless my ears,
Then grief would lose its sting
And a smile would dry my tears.
But faith would lose its esteem,
And Heaven’d lose its stealth,
So we must be denied this dream,
If Heaven is to keep its wealth.
by G W (Bill) Marshall / Dec 08, 2012
If I could but see, again your face,
Oh how much my heart would race,
And nothing could ever efface,
The mem’ry of our last embrace.
If I could climb to Heaven’s gate
And just look in to watch awhile,
Then I know I could joyfully wait,
If I could see your happy smile.
If I could hear the song you sing
And your laughter bless my ears,
Then grief would lose its sting
And a smile would dry my tears.
But faith would lose its esteem,
And Heaven’d lose its stealth,
So we must be denied this dream,
If Heaven is to keep its wealth.
17
The Nightingale
by Vivian Ross
My beautiful Mother, my Angel
Precious nightingale,
you are now free in Heaven
to sing and praise our Lord
without a worldly care.
I hope that GOD in all His Might
will in a dream let me see
how HE now in His arms
holds and fills you with
Eternal Joy and Peace.
To see you laugh
and hear you sing
in God’s presence
is my dream.
by Vivian Ross
My beautiful Mother, my Angel
Precious nightingale,
you are now free in Heaven
to sing and praise our Lord
without a worldly care.
I hope that GOD in all His Might
will in a dream let me see
how HE now in His arms
holds and fills you with
Eternal Joy and Peace.
To see you laugh
and hear you sing
in God’s presence
is my dream.