the empty cradle
Underneath a black umbrella
In the chilly autumn rain
Side by side we stand apart
Divided by our pain
The prayers and words of comfort
Sound like an empty fable
Like the sad and lonley lullaby
I sang to an empty cradle
No warmth no softness enters in
No laughter, light or breath
Just unshed tears, unanswered prayers
Only sorrow, cold and death
As freinds and family gather near
Holding hands around the table
As they bow their heads I look away
And I find an empty cradle
Do all good things come from above
Gifts beyond all measure
He also takes away, they say
But why our greatest treasure
The heart cries out in voice unheard
When words are no longer able
To say the prayers, to heal the wounds
Left by an empty cradle
Author notes
Written October 7th, 2006
What did you think
Comments
1 - 9 of 9
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I'm glad I re-read this today. I know that sounds strange, but I was feeling "out of sorts" til I did, and remembered the anniversary that today represents in my life.
God Bless you Mary... you are a brilliant soul, and I wish there were new poems from you to read.
Write On!
jIM
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so sad mom. who was this written for?
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Excellent. Very tender, and heart wrenching.
Very, very good Mary. I had a friend in the Navy who lost a child at birth. Very traumatic. And all of those who abort without knowing the precious life they gave up.. wonder what goes through their minds as well... Keep up the good work. God bless your. John B -
Utterly beautiful representation of what must needs be an 'ugly' time for any parent to experience. I'd like to say "poignant", "heartfelt", or any number of other things...but I think you should know you have a top quality poem here. One that is accessible to many people, and yet seems individualized for the reader.
You made me feel something. You made me remember something I had almost forgot...and made me feel better about it, oddly enough.
Thank you Mary for all your wonderful poems.
Write On!
jIM -
Thankyou Hugh for your comment. I don't want you or anyone else worrying about me. There have been no new losses. Both grandbabies are still on their way with no problems expected. What actualy inspired this was a novel by Janette oakes. The young couple in the book loose their daughter when she is only a few weeks old. They go through a terrible period of " not feeling " anything. At one point the mother actually cut herself very badly and didnt even notice, just went about her kitchen work untill some one brought it to her attention that she was actualy bleeding. The poem was meant to express that kind of grief I guess, the going off into another world of isolation and loss. But rest assured I am quite well except for this never ending asthma thing. Much love, Mary
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Dear Mary,
Although my girls were 30 and 49 respectively when I lost them, I know too well the affliction of childloss which is the reversal of a parent's natural expectations and I know the enduring pain of your own loss.
Our 'little ones' are lent to us for a time, maybe years, months, hours, even minutes, but when God calls them back to Himself, we must try hard not to be ungrateful for the memories that are left.
This is a very beautiful poem which expresses your heartwounds
with simplicity and poignancy.
I am bookmarking it together with all your other poetry which appears all too rarely on this site.
With sympathy, love and hugs, XXX Hugh. -
This was truly touching and very beautiful and sad. It certainly makes you think about life and death and ponder the greater things in life. Very great job and I hope that more people will be able to read this. This deserves an applause!
C~V -
Man, I hope this didn't happen to you? This is very good, and I got the feeling that it actually did happen! I really, really hope I'm wrong. Losing a child has to be one of the hardest things anyone has ever had to go through. I've been reading about JonBenet Ramsey. It breaks your heart. And, of course, the police bungled the investigation very badly. What a mess. I truly hope that this is just one hell of an amazing example of creativity on your part and that you never actually went through this. My Lord is this good! I rarely give out applauses, but you get one for this! - oce
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This is an awesome poem. It is sad when you lose a child. I have never had children, but I have known people who have lost their baby. I actually one of my friends mom lost twins years ago. Her mom lost it after that. Anyways, keep up the awesome poetry!!!
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