Ramblings of an Old, Romantic Soul

Tomorrow marks the eighth month anniversary of my brother-in-law's death.  And of course, today my thoughts have been of my sister, nieces, and nephew. I find that words fall so short, and so often I am at a loss as to what to say.  What is there to say that will comfort them, that will ease the ache in their hearts, the emptiness in their lives.  I talk to my sister and I hear her pain, feel her grief, and yet, there is nothing I can do.  Kate, this is for you. A Sister's Love If I could try, I’d take away, the loneliness day after day; I’d kiss your tears, erase your pain, would make you laugh and smile again. Mere words fall short, then disappear, next to your sorrow, and your fear; would that I could, I’d take your place, but I cannot, this is your race. With every teardrop that you cry, or every time you want to die; with every day you weep and grieve, I am beside you, I’ll not leave. A sister’s love, deep as the...

As a writer, one of the worst things to happen is 'writer's block'.  I've been suffering from such for some time now - years, actually.  Oh, periodically the muse would sneak through and I would create something, but for the most part my writing pallet has been blank. Since 2009, we've had some very traumatic family events.  There has been revelations of sexual abuse and two trials, ending with the conviction of an ex-brother-in-law; there have been major surgeries - most unexpected surgeries; and then there have been deaths - my beloved father died in January 2011, and my brother-in-law in January 2013.  Not to mention friends and extended family members, and beloved pets, who have also passed away.  It's been a hellish and mentally exhausting couple of years. Yesterday, I was able to write.  And on the poetry site I belong - poetsforintegrity.org - someone commented on one of the poems.  She said 'sometimes the spirit is frozen'.  And a lig...

On 21 January 2013, my beloved brother-in-law suddenly passed away.  He went out for his walk, and never came home, having had a massive heart attack.  He left a loving, devoted wife and three children behind.  Not to mention a grieving extended family.  My heart aches for my sister and my nieces, and nephew; wanting to comfort and console, but knowing my words fall short so many times.  Some hurts are just too hard to write about.  But today, I was able to pen some words - imagining how my sister feels, and the emptiness that is now in her life.  This poem is dedicated to my dearest sister, Kate; my nephew, Matt; and my two nieces, Molly and Maggie.               I Cry I cannot face this world alone,  not sure I want to try; the future now so damned unknown,  with every tear I cry. You left me here, without a word,  not even a goodbye; now every day is just absurd, ...