My Winter Friend

The experience of loss due to aging

 My Winter Friend

Gone the sun.

Gone the moon.

Autumn days have quickly passed.

A grey winter sky has fallen

Down upon our little town.

It is time to shake out the folds,

And lay my much beloved Pendleton 

Down upon my bed.

But the season’s sorrows won’t shake loose,

 The clinging pain of loved ones gone. 

Days pass, weeks unfold,

Months and months have turned to years. 

In all that time I too have turned

A thousand times, maybe more,

To speak to her who I still love.

So often does my heart forget,

Forgets for one sad moment

To remember that life is no more.

Jake too, Jake is

Gone these long five years.

I miss his weight,

I miss his warmth,

His intelligence and will.

Once again I long to hear

The many cat words he spoke.

With tears I miss his love,

His eyes shining green in the night.

He wore an extra coat in winter

Of the softest, downy fur.

I too have grown an undercoat

Of sadness softly woven,

A dervish cloak life random rent

With wounds that will not heal.

 Gone the sun.

Gone the moon.

A grey sky has fallen.

 

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

A poem of the loss of loved ones and how it can dim our world. As we age, the losses come more frequently and that is hard to deal with. Grief can soften with time, but the loss remains. We have to learn to live with it. Your poem is poignant, well written and describes the impact of grief and the emptiness in its wake. A most poignant piece of poetry.

Chris

[Red Brick Keshner]

This is a poignant and deeply moving reflection on loss, memory, and the enduring impact of grief and friendship. It beautifully captures the delicate balance between holding onto cherished memories and grappling with the void left by those who have passed. Thank you for sharing this heartfelt and evocative piece. 👍🏻🙏🏻🕊

[Mr Question]

You paint a vivid picture of heartbreak and loss my friend. It reminds me of one who was with me and now gone. Though my loss was rears ago your poem brings back some sadness but also many years of comfort.

[Adriana]

Beautiful writing, I felt as if I could see everything you were describing.