Melancholy’s soft refrain
Echoes faintly
In forlorn distances
While weeping winds
Whisper…
”let go”
The patriarch steps down
My selfish grieving
Does not a river stop
Nor teachings
Laced with sadness
This ancient sorrow
Searing with acquaintance
Is only new to me
Relinquishing that
Which was never mine
Leaves in its stead
A field in summer fallow
Copyright © Henri Ferguson 2003
Author notes
My father is dying. Went to the hospital and sat with my dad for a couple of hours...some heart wrenching moments while sittting there, helplessly watching this man struggling, bouncing back and forth between resignation and feisty defiance. His speech severely impaired, he is frustrated further by his inability to communicate. But still he cries out in vain, stilled when I hold his weathered hand. Not sure how much of that is delerium...anyway...it's hard...but still we carry on...came up with these words.
Written June 14th, 2003
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I'm sorry for this time of sadness in your life Henri..my heart goes out to you. It's not easy to lose a parent, we think they should be around for us always. Just before losing my mother, I was lucky enough to get a glimpse of her passing..I do believe God touched me and let me know I would not see her again before she actually died, and that gave me strength to let her go. One does wonder if we should encourage them to fight harder, or to pass over with ease and contentment...a beautiful heart touching write...may God give you strength during this moment in your life...God Bless!!
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Henri,
I am saddened at what you face. One of life's toughest and deepest losses. You captured your feelings well.
"This ancient sorrow
Searing with acquaintance
Is only new to me"
My deepest condolences..
Maddie
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Written with tears, and i read it with a very sad heart. Sometimes we just have to write, or we will burst. I remember when my grandmother was dying, she was blind and had completely reverted back to Norwegian, so we couldn't understand her at all, but I was sitting with her alone, and she raised up and looked right into my eyes. It was a look of neverending love and I knew at that moment that she was ok and it was just difficult for her to leave us. We all went home to shower and return, but as soon as we were all gone, she passed away. I guess you hear many tales from everyone, but just know that your father is in my prayers, as well as you, because the love you have for this man swims out of our screen with your words. Another fine poem from a very tender hearted man.
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Very sorry about your father, Henri. My sister and I got our wish...we were both with our mother when she was dying...we kept our vigil all through the night. As a new day dawned, our mother's suffering ended. Your poem touched me...Many people are not able to be with their loved one in their final days. I'm sure the touch of your hand was comforting to your Dad. (Don't know how you feel about this, but, I think it would also comfort your Dad to hear your voice.) I sang to my Mom and it calmed her. Hearing is the last faculty that is lost. My doctor told me that people who were in a coma told him, after they came out of it, things they heard him say.) Take care!
(((Hugs)))
< 3 Maureen
Edited on Jun 15, 4:14 p.m. because ''. -
Very Great Poem, you are truely a talented poet. the way all your poem flows like this river u speak of. and the feeling you convey so deep and so sad. just the feeling of wrestling with yourself "let it go" was the line u used which made me feel that u were trying to get ur mind of things. anyways this is a great poem u are so very talented and ur definatly going on my favorites. i hope everything works out for the best with ur father.
Kevin
Edited on Jun 15, 11:44 because 'typo'. -
Set him free, my friend ... It is the very last gesture of love from blood to blood ...
Kiss his forehead for me.
May God be with you, now and always.
Myra -
The seed is planted and life begins
Birth fulfills the promise
The bud becomes a bloom
The bloom creates the seed
The sky feeds the streams
Merging into rivers
Flowing into oceans
Offering food for the sky
The moon dances ‘round the Mother
She honors the Grandfather in graceful ellipse
He graces Her with warm light and
Causes Her to change
Our souls are connected to all things
When we become aware
We honor the Great Mystery
And he sets us on the path of beauty once more
.......Circles Within Circles
love, light, and healing
T
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'Death is knowledge'...
poetry is a form of knowledge...
your words touch me.
Maria -
Henri...I won't say any more than this is beauty coming from a very real and rich heart.
My best to you, friend...
Patrice -
Read this twice and wondered what it pertained to , then came across your personal comment...
Beautifully expressive Henri...an incredibly sorrowful time in your life it seems...found this so emotive and am lost for words. Its left me very pensive...I cannot relate totally as I have not lost a parent through death...but the heartache
must be unbearable as you have so eloquently
and poignantly described...a very touching tribute to a
man who had clearly meant so much.
{{{{ hugs }}}}
~ Sonia ~
Edited on Jun 14, 5:24 p.m. because ''. -
Very touching and beautifully written. I know this is hard, but you being at his side during this struggle is something that takes the greatest inner strength and the most loving thing you can do.
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Touching write ferg..
Reading this poem and your author's comments brought back a moving profound experience.
A gentle loving piece.
Jani -
a valley low
that mountain high
a struggle to climb but fall
look to the sky and try to reach
while that mountian pushes down again
...
The mountain cant be a mountain
if it werent for the valley below...
i guess what i mean is .. support... he cant be the mountain without you.. and tho many valleys hold such ponds of tears.. and tho that mountain doesnt mean to hurt - its life... its death.. its everything of what we are to be..
sniffing breath so painful
while life gives hope to life
and the spirit allowed to be
for two
another day to see and see
while the roulette goes round and round
taking away time while the dice
wear down....
try and try...
as way is carried through
within light and dark
what footing who can see...
with souls turned inside out
big hugs... and how i drifted... wish there was more...
one could do to comfort...
but i would share some jam and a slice of bread
while muscrats tied us up with dandelion stems
lol... eh... sometimes humor just doesnt work...
i know... xo
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These are good words, Henri... beautiful, in fact. I empathize with you - with what you are going through... watched my grandfather (who had always been as strong as a bull) wither and die from cancer... it's difficult - painful to watch... At least you can write is all out, release some of your emotions.
This is a fine write Henri - I enjoyed your words very much... thank you for sharing them. Take care - Helen
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