I Wrote Your Name

Dedicated to my father William Wallace

I scrawled your name in the Book of the Dead yesterday,
All Souls Day, my sobs echoed far beyond the sunlit altar
as the pine trees outside softly whispered sorrow,
and stiff religious icons watched me with brooding eyes.

I wrote your beautiful name with an ordinary pen,
a tool unworthy for such an important act.
Ink fed spaces in my being filled with emptiness.
I was alone with the black shadow of my sorrow.

Your name is now writ in the Book of the Dead
making you no more dead than you already are,
lying quietly beneath the sky and granite where
no amount of rain nor weeping shall awaken you.

So I came to you and told you what I had done
but you greeted me with a thick silence
and your stone was cold to my embrace,
for I know it matters not where your name lies

as long as it is etched in my heart for eternity,
even that is not long enough for me to forget the pain
of losing you and the joy of loving you.
Your name cannot be erased from my heart,
nor now, from the Book of the Dead.

Reviews

[Rita L. Sev]

So eloquently written, this poem of both tribute and grief. Every stanza called me to pause and wallow in your words - your words which describe my feelings... My tears are tears of mourning, yes, but also of gratitude that someone understands. This is an amazing and deeply felt piece, Blue. Thank you for sharing this.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you for understanding what I am feeling. It still feels very raw and yesterday was an emotional day for me. Wallow is the perfect word when one tries to sort out feelings such as these. Thank you for such a beautiful and supportive comment.

[Dr. Wood ?]

wonderful, ICE

I feel your sadness and empathise

But no-one is lost as long as they remain inside your heart, and are never forgotten......Truly lovely poem

[icelandicblue]

Thanks Doc. I miss him so very much.

[Dr. Wood ?]

Like I said to you all that time ago...as long as he is within you, you will never be without himread moreLike I said to you all that time ago...as long as he is within you, you will never be without him
I am not religious. but the words God bless seem to be apt at this moment....be strong

[Gleb Zavlanov]

A very powerful poem. I'm very sorry for your loss. Your father seemed like a great man and must be honored and proud to have such a loving, talented daughter. A great poem with a powerful taste of sorrow.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you Gleb,
No death of a loved one is easy. I appreciate your kind words and good thoughts.

[Lydia Shutter]

The pain of losing a parent is extraordinary and you have captured it with your words. I am so sorry for your loss. May memories be a comfort to you. It is obvious you loved your father very much and that you will never forget him. Written with the ink of tears and love. Lydi**

[icelandicblue]

Thank you for your comforting words Lydi.

[s y e]

Oh lovie, this is so heartbreaking and so powerful. Losing your father must be the hardest thing ever, I can't imagine losing mine. :-( I'd be broken forever I think. You really wrote this with so much emotion, you poured your heart and soul out. You've blown me away, just...wow Anne.

xo

[icelandicblue]

Thanks Noodle,
It was a very emotional experience.
XXOO

[s y e]

You have my tears Anne xoxo

[TL Boehm]

oh my Lord. I lost my dad in 09 - I've written a couple of poems - but nothing with this much power behind it. I can't articulate the beauty and the loss that resonates in this piece. I wish I had better words for this striking write.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks Tammy- my sister is going to the mass tomorrow to commemorate those who have died at my father's church. I am not one for ceremonies and big rituals, preferring the more quiet and personal remembrances. I was alone in the church while I wrote his name and hung his picture and it opened the wound as fresh as the day he died. Thank you for your kind review, I truly appreciate it.