I Think of Her
By Rich Reith
.
I buried my daughter today, heart burning, yet I’m numb.
And "God," I ask, again and again, "just what have I done?"
The baby I carried in my womb, now going to her grave,
Her smile, and to hear her voice are the only things I crave.
And every time I see a baby, I think of her.
I buried my daughter last month, and the searing pain endures.
Every breath a struggle, yet blessed time provides no cure.
“How are you doing, Barb?” I answer that I’m fine
Truth’s not what they want to hear, my feelings now just mine.
And every time I see the ocean, I think of her.
Some I thought were friends, now avert their eyes from me.
I know, my grief unveils to them their vulnerability.
So I conceal my emotions, then fall apart with those who care,
Knowing that the searing pain, no one can repair.
And every time I see a flower, I think of her.
Everyone around me, just moving on with their lives.
Yet suddenly my world stopped, my heart cannot revive.
People fear to speak her name, afraid to break my heart,
“MY DAUGHTER LIVED!” I want to scream, “SHE’S NOT A THING APART!”
And every time I see a pair of skates, I think of her.
Living my life on raging seas, never coming to the shore.
Struggling for strength, to live again, but this barren heart I can't ignore.
“Need anything?” I hear them say, – yes, I need to live!
“What I need,” my heart screams out, “is peace you cannot give!”
And every time I see a butterfly, I think of her.
I always prayed that time would help, and slowly it does heal,
But my tumultuous emotions now are too hard to conceal.
Accepting now, crying now, laughing now, and then
The slow unending agony touches my soul again.
And every time I see a rainbow, I think of her.
Two years now since this mothers heart put her baby in the ground
My memories and connection to her have kept emotions sound.
They all assume that time alone can make a mother heal
Not knowing that I live with her, and her presence now is real.
.
And I finally know…
That every time I take a breath, I’ll think of her
.
Copyright © May 2007 by Rich Reith, all rights reserved
By Rich Reith
.
I buried my daughter today, heart burning, yet I’m numb.
And "God," I ask, again and again, "just what have I done?"
The baby I carried in my womb, now going to her grave,
Her smile, and to hear her voice are the only things I crave.
And every time I see a baby, I think of her.
I buried my daughter last month, and the searing pain endures.
Every breath a struggle, yet blessed time provides no cure.
“How are you doing, Barb?” I answer that I’m fine
Truth’s not what they want to hear, my feelings now just mine.
And every time I see the ocean, I think of her.
Some I thought were friends, now avert their eyes from me.
I know, my grief unveils to them their vulnerability.
So I conceal my emotions, then fall apart with those who care,
Knowing that the searing pain, no one can repair.
And every time I see a flower, I think of her.
Everyone around me, just moving on with their lives.
Yet suddenly my world stopped, my heart cannot revive.
People fear to speak her name, afraid to break my heart,
“MY DAUGHTER LIVED!” I want to scream, “SHE’S NOT A THING APART!”
And every time I see a pair of skates, I think of her.
Living my life on raging seas, never coming to the shore.
Struggling for strength, to live again, but this barren heart I can't ignore.
“Need anything?” I hear them say, – yes, I need to live!
“What I need,” my heart screams out, “is peace you cannot give!”
And every time I see a butterfly, I think of her.
I always prayed that time would help, and slowly it does heal,
But my tumultuous emotions now are too hard to conceal.
Accepting now, crying now, laughing now, and then
The slow unending agony touches my soul again.
And every time I see a rainbow, I think of her.
Two years now since this mothers heart put her baby in the ground
My memories and connection to her have kept emotions sound.
They all assume that time alone can make a mother heal
Not knowing that I live with her, and her presence now is real.
.
And I finally know…
That every time I take a breath, I’ll think of her
.
Copyright © May 2007 by Rich Reith, all rights reserved
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| Click below to hear reading of the poem. |