Category: Grief

• Who Are You?

  This poem is about my father who passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2015. He died within 6 weeks of his diagnosis. After announcing his condition through email, he refused to see anyone for two whole weeks. He was a very independent and proud man who wanted to take care of business before letting people in. This poem captures the last moments I had with him and how I’ve tried to negotiate my relationship with him over the years, especially towards the end of his life, and even in the here and now.

  February 6, 2022

  abuse, acceptance, anger, Approval, childhood, Childhood trauma, communication, Family dynamics, Gender roles, Grief, Healing, inconvenient truths, Love, Marriage, memories, Morality, Relationship, self-knowledge, soul, speaking up, story-telling, Time, vulnerable

• Regret

  “Do you regret marrying Dad”I ventureWondering if she knowsWhy I ask “No, I don’t regret it” There is a pregnant pauseA naked silence “Why not?”I ask, undeterred “I don’t believe in the word regret” she offers Meanwhile,My brain is busy decodingwhat she’s saying “It doesn’t matter what you believe, but the wordexists mom”I mutter in […]

  January 14, 2022

  acceptance, communication, dementia, Family, Family dynamics, Grief, Healing, Home, Imagination, life, Love, Marriage, memories, mindfulness, mother and child relationship, self-knowledge

• When Time Runs Still

  When time runs stillTomorrowWith hours to kill and moreto follow Where will you be? The night is longAnd the days blendThe season’s goneWith the new trend Where are you now? The wedding bellsAre ringingAnd down the aisleThe Bride is walking But you’re not there Heaven’s singingAll of your songs I’m dreamingOf days long gone Remembering […]

  December 29, 2021

  Grief, Healing, memories, mindfulness, Quiet, Relationship, self-knowledge, soul, Time