Grief

I didn't know a heart could die
before it stopped beating.
I didn't know a life could cease
before it stopped breathing.

I didn't know how devastation
could wend a living soul
I didn't know how death could make
one lose all self control.

I didn't know the pain of loss
was so intense and sharp.
I didn't know the depth of void
death leaves within the heart.

I didn't know how often tears
would redden hurting eyes.
I didn't know how hard it was
to say one's last good-bye's.

I didn't know that pain would come
and go as it well pleased.
I didn't know that joy is scarce
to those who are bereaved.

I didn't know that time would stop
and meaning cease to be.
I didn't know that friends would pray
but shy away from me.

I didn't know how difficult
to get the whole night through.
I didn't know the strength it took
for simple tasks to do.

I didn't know that as time pass
slowly, the pain subsides.
I didn't know what I thought was lost
still in my heart resides.

Now I know a little spark,
somehow in me remained.
Now I know that someway,
my life will be sustained.

Now I know the feelings felt,
were all a part of grief.
Now I know how fervent prayer
helped me to find relief.

So rest assured my unknown friends,
though healing comes real slow.
It actually does get better
for now, I truly know.

Yes I survived my loved one death
that occurred this time last year.
I feel the loss and always will
but the pain's much less severe.

Rev. Saundra L. Washington, D.D., is an ordained clergywoman, social worker, and Founder of AMEN Ministries. http://www.clergyservices4u.org She is also the author of two coffee table books: Room Beneath the Snow: Poems that Preach and Negative Disturbances: Homilies that Teach. Her new book, Out of Deep Waters: A Grief Healing Workbook, will be available soon.

Euthanasia: How Will I Know When its Time?

Pippin needed assistance from his owner to get to his... Read More

You Can Help A Grieving Heart

Oh, we can talk about the best cold medications and... Read More

Terminal Illness- Death and Grief

No one likes to think about illness and death, when... Read More

Are We All Losers? Understanding Grief

The well-known pioneer researcher Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross identified five states... Read More

The Grief And Belief Connection

"Grief is healing: To take away our grief is to... Read More

Anticipatory Grief and Ongoing Sadness for Caregivers

In 1969, Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross published her famous book; On... Read More

Whens Sarah Coming Home? Helping Your Child Understand Death

For most children, their first experience with grief comes with... Read More

How to Deal With A Death in the Family and Still Run Your Small Business

As a small business owner we have to deal with... Read More

When Sorrow Is Too Great to Be Borne Alone, Support Groups Reach Out

Not long after Arlyn died, my husband and I decided... Read More

One Womans Way of Dealing With Grief

All of us at one time or another have felt... Read More

Adapting to the Loss of a Loved One: Three Tips on how to Cope

Have you ever sat down and played a piano where... Read More

Present Moment Awareness: Lessons From My Dog

I've always waited for the perfect moment to be happy:... Read More

Guilty, Your Honor: The Burden of Guilt After a Suicide

Guilty, Your Honor, I whisper.Have you ever done anything so... Read More

Do You Know Someone Whos Dying?

Too many people are dying alone?The dying are one of... Read More

Silent Tears - from a Norwegian Hospital

Silent tears hit hospital-white sheets. The young Pakistani mother holds... Read More

Dying? Not Me! Why You Should Plan for Transition

Remember the Eulogy projects we had to write back in... Read More

Death, Close and Personal

I got an email recently from someone whose mother died.... Read More

The Truth About Emotional Intelligence

There is so much emphasis on emotional intelligence these days... Read More

The Valley of Sorrow or My Life as a Well Digger

It felt like I had been run over by a... Read More

Suicide Survivor

Suicide is a nightmare for survivors of loved ones. Death... Read More

Miracles?

If we were to organize a list of the thorniest... Read More

Physiological Consequences of Carrying Emotional Trauma

Although many of us carry some form of emotional trauma... Read More

The Twists and Turns of Life

When I was born in 1962 I thought life was... Read More

How To Heal Your Heart

We all experience severe heart break at some time in... Read More

Terrorism Worries: 10 Ways to Turn Fear into Hope

September 11th changed America and chances are it changed you.... Read More