A Mother's Loss

The first mother to lose a child...was the first mother.

Didn’t recognize the sound at first

Knew not from where it came

But when I knew it came from me

No words my brain could frame…

 

This howl a sound as primal as Eve’s

When Abel’s body lay before her

What!  What has happened, Lord,

Who did this?  What evil cur

 

Has wrecked my child’s body

Has taken his life so soon

Oh! Lord, please tell me

Who played this hateful tune

 

Oh, no!  It can’t be Cain

Why, he’s my flesh and son

How could he have done this thing

Where is he?  Has he run?

 

Now I cry out as loud as Eve

With no sight of relief

Who has done this evil thing

And thrown me on this reef

 

Of agony and heartache

Of pain and loss of hope

No washing of this blood

Can come from any soap

 

I only cry and moan for now

With no thought of tomorrow

For my child who has died this day

I only taste sad sorrow.

 

Oh!  Mothers who cry aloud

For the loss of one they bore

No words can be of comfort

Their hearts heavy and sore.

 

“Look to God, it’s in his plan”

I don’t want to hear this now

My plan was to reap his life

Now, can’t sow " there’s no such plow.

 

Tell me not of God’s grace

Tell me not of peace

This pain cannot be bought so cheap

With words of “Just release”

 

 

 

 

 

Author's Note

Still in class Poetry 101. Thought I'd go from guns to the havoc they can bring...A six-year old dead by the hands of car-jackers who shot him multiple times. This news story broke my heart and has stayed with me since the story broke.

Reviews

[Great Aunt Astri]

yes, such things break my heart too. You poem is well written, especially the second stanza. The running of sentences into the next stanza is very effective. Would we could 'Just release' many things!

[Carol Cashes]

Thank you for reading this, my second attempt at poetry. I tell better stories, but I'm learning. Such phenomenal talent on this site, it inspires me. Yes, platitudes and tired cliches would make me want to scream if I were to lose my child. But, people are usually at a loss in the face of such unimaginable grief. Thanks for noticing the run-in. I was unsure, but went with my gut.

[Carol Cashes]

Edited the second stanza, even I could tell it was clumsy....hopefully better now.