For those who don't know Sara (AP name "haikumonkgirl"), she is a wonderful person who recently lost her father and two best friends within months of each other. Today is the second anniversary of the death of one of those friends. Her name was Megan.
After you read this poem, please leave a message on her author page at allpoetry.com/Poets/haikumonkgirl She needs a lot of support today. Thank you.
~ For Sara ~
You've lost too much, far too much,
for someone so young and so kind.
And I know how much it damaged
your spirit, heart and mind.
And I would give everything I own
if I could bring back all you've lost.
If I could rewrite these sad endings,
I wouldn't care how much it cost.
But we both know that in this world,
the hands of time can't be reversed.
That which is done can't be undone
just as life can't be rehearsed.
And I know how difficult it can be
to find meaning in life as we live it.
But the only meaning it has sometimes
is that which we decide to give it.
After all, how do we stop suffering?
How do we let go of pain, and when?
Only when we decide we've had enough
and we want to live and be happy again.
Until then, the wisest words will be empty
and the love of others will have no power.
For until we decide to rescue ourselves,
we'll just keep reliving our darkest hour.
But I don't need to search for proof
that you're making yourself well.
It's in the names you've chosen.
They all have a tale to tell.
The "dying rose" became a "living rose".
That tells me you're dying to live.
It also tells me the pain won't win
because you have so much to give.
And now you are "Haikumonk Girl"
so I know you'll heal much faster.
I'm his friend and student, too,
and he is truly a Grand Master.
In fact, I believe he was sent to you
to help you overcome your pain.
He has lost much in his life, too,
and he knows well this dark terrain.
But the darkness has not defeated him.
He lives with abundant joy and light.
So meditate on his words, LIVE them,
and I promise, you'll win this fight.
Youth is a difficult time for most.
We learn so much as we grow older.
But as a wise old proverb says,
"God gave burdens. Also shoulders."
I can't change all you've lived through,
though Lord knows, I wish that I could.
I can only tell you how I've survived
and hope it helps or does some good.
But life is not about survival.
It's not supposed to be a chore.
I want to see you free of pain.
I want to see your spirit soar.
I want you to send me a postcard
from some beautiful, exotic place
saying, "Life is good. I'm happy",
your sadness gone without a trace.
I want to see you fall in love
and settle down with a good man.
I want to see you healed and whole
for nothing heals like true love can.
Nothing except our decision to flourish
despite the injuries life dishes out.
Pain is inevitable but suffering's not.
It's not what life should be about.
So most of all, what I hope and pray
is that you'll stop adding pain to pain.
I want you to choose life and health.
I want your heart to be peaceful again.
For what greater way is there for us
to pay tribute to those who have gone
than to live twice as much for them?
And then, through us, they live on.
Our sorrow for those we have lost
will never completely go away
but in time, we can remember them
in a more healthy, positive way.
They wouldn't want us to suffer endlessly
or for our deepest pain to never end.
So we love them more by seeking peace
than by refusing to let our hearts mend.
Despite the worries and hopes in this poem,
I am certain you'll get past this someday.
The pain can't hide the beauty of your soul
and that beauty will light your way.
I love you, Sara.
Uncle Mark
Author notes
Written November 22nd, 2004
In a list
A contest entry
- For Haikumonkgirl by .
300 points, ended November 26, 2004, 9 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 39 of 39
-
Beautifully written. I hope Sara's problems are far behind her and that she is doing better. She is indeed fortunate to have family and friends who care for her so. Write on, poet.
-
That was beautiful! Sara is blessed to have such a caring and wise uncle to watch over her!
-
This is so amazing. It's not often (not often at all) that I read something so touchingly full of hope and love. Anyone would be lucky to receive this message.
-
MARK,HOW DID I MISS THIS PIECE?..omg this is beautifull..and this shows how much you care about your freind..and giving her strenght to move on..i liked many parts of this poem,,i can relate to it somehow..i can feel your beautifull thoughtfull soul and heart withing this poem..you are great Mark..i just want read more of your work..each piece is taking me to the next bcz i can't get enough from your writing style..good job !
-
Great
You amaze me, I read you once, love your piece so much that I have to read it again, and then decide it is the best poem, then I move on to your next poem and they just keep getting better! Wonderful work, congrats on the trophy, lovely tribute!
Purplerose
-
"The pain can't hide the beauty of your soul
and that beauty will light your way." the entire piece is poignantly beautiful, these lines are exquisite
-
How sweetie
....Im sure it will lift her spirits. This was beautiul it was really sincere. Peace~~~Shannon Rose
-
This is lovely for her
so sad someone has to face things like this..
but its good to have people like you in her life. -
This is a great dedication of your love for her.
~Amanda~
-
Thanks, Jody.
A writer is only as good as his inspiration. Sara has lost so much for someone so young. I just found out today she doesn't have any grandparents left, either. So it's up to all of us here who love her to fill the gigantic hole their loss left in her life, as much as we can anyway in this virtual world.
Thanks again for your kind words.
Mark -
This is a beautiful thing to do and what wonderful words. I can only hope that some day her pain will lesten. What a truly beautiful gesture.
-
This is such a brilliant write, I'm crying right now. I can tell how much love you have for Sara, and she is very lucky to have you as a friend. When she writes about Vicki and Megan and even her dad, I don't know what to say, because it's just so sad. I'm glad you wrote this piece! It definitely made my day brighter by knowing that your poem made Sara feel just a smidge better about today!
Kelsi
-
Hi Sara,
You caught me. I was trying to be sneaky, sending people over to your page. haha I wanted you to get about 500 messages and think, "What the heck is going on?" lol How are you doing? I'm leaving the office right now but give me a call on my cell phone if you want to, okay? Or you can call me and Master Don after 7 at the school. I hope you're okay today.
Uncle Mark -
You bring tears to my eyes... Your support and love touches my heart... I love you so much
---Sara
-
A beautiful gesture for a hurting friend, I'm sure she appreciates your kindness and compassion during her time of need. I'll be thinking of her.
-
:'(
im commenting the poem here..and i will comment for her on her page as instrcuted...
amazing, amazing, amazing poem..wonderful rhyming, i wouldn't have even been able to think up some of that..it was amazing. the only down side i saw, is it was a little too long for my attention span. :/ but otherwise a wonderful work of art (and heart). my heart goes out to her..maybe she find strenght in her pain. -
v good
Very good dedication, I like this this !! -
that was just the sweetest thing i think you could ever do for some one but then you always come across as a every thoughtful man with that and your beatiful words how could she not feel better i will wish her pain away and hope it never returnd the death of a love one is so hard to deal with it is the one part of life i could do with out thank you for the great readin
-
Masterpiece
Such a talent......I salute you
-
This was really sweet of you to do for Sara.. my name is Sara too and I've kinda lost my fiancee (for now, but for awhile) cuz im not allowed any contact with him right now and it saddens me.. but i know how it feels other than that too for my father, he seemed to quit caring, but im sure Sara thinks about the memories that she cherishs to get her through.. i wish her luck... im always here to talk to you or Sara..
and btw, (off subject) im not Sara Lynn that has typed before me, ... how ironic.. lol. but anyway, (::to Sara: i hope this all gets you through this!
~!*Sara Lynn*!~ -
great
Sorry to hear about your loss. What a beautiful write and an inspiration to carry on. -
Awwww!!!!! I'm so sorry! I hope you feel better Sara! I also lost a friend, not recently, but about 5 years ago, i know just how you feel, so if you need me, feel free to talk!!!
Love ya!
~Sara Lynn~ -
*flicks away a tear*
You are brilliant..magnificent...words don't describe the type of person you are Mark, and I mean that with everything I have. You have such a talented way with words. You weave them in and out, they flow so smoothy, you find yourself getting lost within the things you say...wow.
Wonderful job. As usual
&
mindy -
Hi Sara,
You're welcome! I'm so glad this made you feel better.
If the old saying that "love conquers all" is true, you're home-free. You are very well-loved around here, as the outpouring of support in this contest shows.
Love,
Uncle Mark
-
Master D,
Your opinion on this is very important to me, because I know how much you love Sara. When writing about the most important people and deepest emotions in life, it's always a challenge to capture what we want to say without cheapening it. Thank you for letting me know I didn't fall short.
Mark -
Jessica Erin,
Thank you for doing this for Sara. I'm sure that, like me, her angels are looking forward to the day when her heart is free again. I hope this outpouring of love will help that day arrive sooner.
Thanks again,
Mark
-
10/10
I could give you a long comment, but why should I repeat what has already been throughly made clear by every other comment? Redundancy is evil. -^_^-
That should clue you in on what I thought of this piece if my Verdict doesn't. Very well done. Write more, please. -
Seeing as how I know virtually nothing about haikumonkgirl, I think I'll stick to commenting on strictly the poem itself. Good, non-forced rhyming and flowing rhythm made this a pleasant read, and I was able to wholeheartedly understand and agree with its message. Good luck in that contest.
-
This was one of the best poems I have ever read. You have such a big heart that shows in your writing. Sara loved it too as I can see and I can tell why. Keep up the wonderful writing. Jody
-
good job
this is so well written. True in a lot of different areas. I like the way its expressed. Keep up the good work. -
Stunning..... you have proven yourself to be the master of words again. Absolutely amazing and enviable. Sara must have just about fell down when she read this. Excellent...... simply excellent.
-
I love you
Uncle Mark, Words can express exacly how much this means to me... it brought tears to my eyes! I am so honored and touched to have such a poem written for me. Thank you so very much and with all of my heart Thank you for taking the time to write this, and I absolutely adore your long IMs and comments... keep them coming! 
I will try harder. You and Dad mean so very much to me and you'll never know just how much you mean to me...THANK YOU This is truly a beautiful, treasured piece. I love you! Your Niece, Sara
-
touching and genuinely moving
What a beautiful,tender gentle soul you have! I mean that most sincerely. This is a beautiful,warm and heartfelt poem. What ever Sara's sorrow, I know that having some one like you to offer a shoulder and give such encouragement is a great comfort her. She richer for having you in her life, and you obviously for Sara being in yours. My prayers are with Sara that she will find comfort and strength in your words.~Michelle~ -
Mark,
You pour your heart and soul here and everone can read and see it. That takes a lot of guts. You always seem to have those guts, Mark. Thank you for putting yourself out for friend, AND for us to read it. You are a sincere person.
Cheryl
-
This was truly a beautiful piece. There are so many of us who would bend over backwards to take away her pain. Beautiful poem. Thank you so much for entering
~~Jessica Erin
-
Not only do you rhyme and flow beautifully, it is a beautiful message to Sara. What a great uncle! (I wish I had an uncle like you, adopted or not, when I was growing up!) I thought it was a lovely, sincerely written poem - and I know you mean it when you say you'd give everything you have to bring back what she's lost. Just wonderful.
~Kerry -
Excellent!
Encouraging words for all who read..very nicely done!
Maureen
-
Such inspiring words! Excellent word-choreography!
-
you are so great.this is such an emotional and sincere piece.the heart of you vibrates through these words.when i first read you i added you to my fave list for your talent.if you weren't already on it,this would make me add you to it for your compassion.the words are simple and you don't have to wonder about the meaning.the flow and the rhyme pattern goes hand in hand.this has come together in all ways and makes this a true bookmark moment for me.
Adding your comment:
1 - 39 of 39
21 old applause
