A Widows Request

So many find it so hard to be around the newly bereaved.

Please come visit, often, as before...
bring no gifts, flowers, only friendship.
Bring not trepidation or awkwardness,
as it is circumstance and not I that have changed.
Bring me not your sadness and heavy heart,
as these at present I own by right.
Instead bring memories,
memories of good times spent.
Speak his name but without hesitation or fear,
as that will never die unless allowed.
Reminisce with stories, laughter, smiles,
and this will be my comfort.
And if you do this he will live on,
in our hearts and minds.
Please come visit, and often...

Reviews

[Samuel Dickens]

I agree wholeheartedly with your view on this. We are all destined to become past tense, so for myself, I would much rather be remembered with laughter and good feelings, not tears. An excellent poem, Gee.

[Gee]

Thanks Samuel

[Norman T]

This is beautifully poignant and a lesson to all. How often , I have heard from bereaved people that "friends" and neighbours will avoid contact with them out of embarrassment. If there was affection, then share it. It comes to us all eventually.
Norman

[Gee]

Indeed it does,thanks Norman

[Josie E. Cook M. A.]

Simple requests with a lasting friendship to comfort...live on with this kindness & sharing values.
Nice little poem about what counts in life!

[Gee]

Thank you...

[Josie E. Cook M. A.]

You are welcome.

[J3ssInJupit3r]

I really liked this poem simply because I do not view death as sad thing. I view it as a good thing because those who have passed, have passed on to a better world. A better place. And how can you not be happy for them? There is much awkwardness too when dealing with newly widowed. I work in a hospital and my heart twinges every time I ask a patient what their spouse does and they say they have died. Yes it is sad becuase they are no longer down here with us, but they will forever live through the memories that we share and in our hearts and dreams. Beautiful poem. thank you for sharing.

[Gee]

Thank you for your kind words

[Ashley Renegade]

A very dear friend of mine was recently widowed, and I appreciate this so much because she has lately been expressing these feelings. A great piece of work! Thank you for sharing!

[Gee]

Sorry to hear that.Thank you for your kind comments

[Elizabeth]

It is interesting how we treat the bereaved. As if they are made of glass. I suspect it is us who are made of glass... we can't stand to be reminded that there but for the grace of God and we could so easily be in their shoes. Nice work, here.

[Gee]

Thank you Elizabeth

[Jimmy Yetts]

Profoundly insightful; eloquently expressed.
High-level stuff in my book, Gee.
Excellent!

[Gee]

Cheers Jimmy

[cycy]

wow, this is such a lovely poem. beautifully written. i can totally relate since my mum is a widow and she is always complaining about how people treat you different,you put it perfectly, it is circumstance and not i that has changed. loved every single line. well done dear.

[Gee]

Thank you cycy

[Terry O'Leary]

Poignant and bittersweet!
Great job!!

[Gee]

Thanks Terry

[Briana]

How sad and sweet... I agree that it's difficult to speak to someone you feel is emotionally beyond your reach. You lack the words to say, so you try to avoid seeing them, to avoid that awful "I'm sorry for your loss..." that always ends in such awkward silence. I get it, and this poem does, too. You are a phenomenal writer.

On a side note, you said "wil" rather than "will" in "this will be my comfort". I hate to point such a thing out, but I try to give notice to things I usually want noticed in my own works.

[Gee]

Thank you Briana,a very kind review.Please feel free to point out mistakes with grammar,spelling,as I mostly write quite quickly and post without to much proof reading(if that's the right term !)Again thank you