Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Poem for Papa


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When the news is all bad,
when a good man dies,
when the world seems dark and sad,
that's the time we have to remember
there is more light
on this planet
than there is dark.

In the midst of 
destruction and death,
we watch the heroes rising up,
running in to help
with selfless resolve.

When I think of 9/11,
what I remember,
besides the towers falling,
forever falling in my mind,
are the smiling young women
dressed as angels,
who walked about the city streets
to remind us
that love still exists.

When the night is dark and cold,
that is when we most bless the morning,
with a brand new day for starting over.
We are grateful  our eyes are opening
on yet another dawn,
and as the sun creeps up 
over the mountains,
soon all the dark is gone.

If each of us holds our thimblefuls of light
high up against the falling of the night,
the glow will spread from near to far,
reminding us, in the midst of pain and fear,
part of our DNA comes from
a star.

Kids, it has been a rough week.  A friend died suddenly, of cancer, three weeks from diagnosis to death, and I have been looking after their little one for much of the week. I will take him to his Papa's funeral on Saturday, so his mom will be able to focus on the service. Very sudden, very sad, and this little one says, about it, "Papa's still  around, we just cant see him." Little ones live so close to the truth of existence.

Papa and his wife, my friend Bernice, have raised thirty foster children in their years together. This little fellow is the most recent one. He adored his Papa.

The events in Boston rocked us all. We are becoming battle-worn and weary, oh, so tired. So I welcomed Kim's challenge at Poets United's Verse First this morning: to write a poem on the theme - Wake Up and Love.

I am so tired that it is a challenge. I would rather write a poem called Go To Sleep and Forget Everything. But I will try, because Kim has the right idea. In the middle of all of these sad events, what one sees, always, is the kindness of strangers to each other. In times of trouble, we all remember that we are kin.

I know I am very behind in commenting. I will catch up at some point. Truly, I will. Just hanging in, right now.

24 comments:

  1. Sherry, I'm so sorry for your loss. I remember when my sister lost her husband suddenly at age 36, one week after his son's first birthday. I was in charge of the two boys. It's a struggle, but I DO know this: His daddy is around. There is a "cloud of witnesses," we call them; the African peoples believe our ancestors are close by as well. So even though he cannot see his Papa, he can talk to him. Even when there is no answer per se, the answer might come in, oh, a low-flying falcon, a butterfly, a patch of purple in a green lawn.

    Kim is right and you did her proud, especially when you want to be an ostrich. Love you, Amy

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  2. My thoughts of good will are with you the little guy and your friend.

    There's not much we can say to someone about their loss to assuage the heart ache. All we can do is hold their hand even at a distance.

    Buena suerte, mi amiga. Hugs!!!!!

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  3. Sherry, I am so sorry for your loss. Your words in your first stanza are truly what we need to remember, "there is more light on this planet than there is dark".
    Sending warm thoughts and hugs your way.

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  4. Sometimes indeed we can learn from the little ones. Indeed Papa is still around. And he is old enough to have his memories, which if someone talks to him about them on occasion he will always keep.

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  5. Sherry there is no darkness. Darkness doesn't exist there is only light and the absence of light. Darkness cannot travel, it cannot invade it can only exist where you shut out the light. Look to all the lights around you and feel the joy associated.

    hugs . . . Storm

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  6. You beautify the world. This poem is a new part of that. Bless you and your friends. I am going off to write a wake up and love poem!

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  7. Sherry,
    I am so sorry for your loss and for the child. He is lucky that you have offered to look after him in such a difficult time. It will help both him and his mom more than you can know. Children are very resilient as long as they have someone who is loving and dependable in their lives.

    Your poem brought tears. I especially love "When the night is dark and cold,
    that is when we most bless the morning." So true.

    Hugs.

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  8. Hey, Sherry- I love "thimblefuls of light"... I'm so sorry about your friend. I do agree that children are much wiser than adults. Your poem touched me... it has been a horrible week and now West, TX...

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  9. I also love "thimblefuls of light" — and we recently had a friend die of cancer soon after diagnosis, leaving a wife, two grown sons, and a toddler granddaughter.

    Bernice and her husband lived life well, taking on foster children who learned to love them. My heart aches for the little one but I'm glad he still has his Papa nearby, unseen.

    This post would be perfect for Susie's challenge at IGWRT, "encouragement" is her theme.
    Luv, K

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  10. Dear Sherry,

    What a heavy load you have to bear right now. It is a trying time for a human being, when troubles arrive to test our resolve and strength.
    You have such a big heart Sherry, that you will be able to see Papa through these most difficult of days.
    I think that you will also find some rewards in the words that your friends in this poetry and writing community, will leave for you. You have touched so many with your generous self, of time and kindness.
    Hope that you will see through to the other side of the difficulty and then,you can find some 'Sherry time.'
    Thinking of you Sherry,
    Eileen:)

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  11. My heart goes out to you,Sherry. Love the depth of feeling in this poem.

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  12. Dear Sherry,
    Your exhaustion is partly from your willingness to reach out and help your friend in her crisis and from feeling her pain along with your loss. When we live with an open heart, it is a more painful life but a rich and connected life,full of both love and loss.
    What you wrote is beautiful, "thimblefuls of light," WOW! Such imagination, such clear vision. I always know when I read your blog I will be inspired. Thank you so much for sharing. I feel privileged to be counted among your friend list. And thank you for reading and commenting on mine.

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  13. When I think of 911 - well I guess we all see again the horrendous images of the towers falling, but after that I think of the firemen.

    Reading your poem, and then the story of what the little boy said, helps me in my own sorrow. Thank you.

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  14. Dear Sherry,
    So sorry to hear about your loss. Your friend would value your support at this time, and the little one too. Take good care.

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  15. And I love these lines...quite warming:

    When the night is dark and cold,
    that is when we most bless the morning,
    with a brand new day for starting over.
    We are grateful our eyes are opening
    on yet another dawn,
    and as the sun creeps up
    over the mountains,
    soon all the dark is gone

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  16. This is so beautiful, sad, and touching.
    It is like a special veil of what we all should see
    I know poets see this world but many do not
    Your poem is profound n gorgeous
    Thank u
    I am so sad n sorry for the loss of an amazing spirit

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  17. Just want you to know I am thinking of you this evening .........

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  18. Sherry,

    The poem was sad with great depth when the night is dark and cold. May your soul find comfort in the dark hours. Follow the light it is always waiting in the horizon.

    Bright Blessings!

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  19. All I have to give you is cyber hugs, but am sending lots and lots of those, my friend. There is a deep wisdom in your words, tired though you may be. This month has been more than difficult for so many. Do what you can, and forget the rest.

    Elizabeth
    http://soulsmusic.wordpress.com/2013/04/20/after-breaking/

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  20. Sherry I am so sorry for your loss. There are far more whys than answers. My heart and prayers go out to you.

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  21. When a good man dies
    The heavens awash in light

    Take care Sherry.

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  22. Very sorry abt the loss Sherry. Hope. The family finds courage in grief to move on...

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  23. My heart felt condolences. Sorry for your loss, Sherry. May God rest his noble soul in peace and give strength to this little one and her family. Take care.
    The following lines are poignant and so so beautiful...

    "If each of us holds our thimblefuls of light
    high up against the falling of the night,
    the glow will spread from near to far,
    reminding us, in the midst of pain and fear,
    part of our DNA comes from
    a star."

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