Broken, a Co-Write with Sheila Kline

Broken...the death of a loved one

Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. Author: Mario Pleitez. Original photo may be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/alfinaldeesteviaje/451482805/sizes/o/.

 

 

 

Dear Reader,

 

A poem inspired by “On Another’s Pain”, by William Blake, and co-written by Sheila Kline and Rick Puetter:

 

http://www.writerscafe.org/writers/wvhillbilly47/

http://www.writerscafe.org/writers/rpuetter/

 

We hope you enjoy the poem.

 

 

 

Broken

 

Horror in my heart abounds

My lips share thy wailing sounds

For your heart is pierced with pain

And with anguish thy soul strains

 

Lifeless son rests in your arms

Newly felled by Reaper’s charms

Death, thy joy robs from your life

Now plays plaintive drum and fife

 

Now the march to funeral pyre

Now the wood piled higher and higher

As the sun sets in the west

And lost soul is called to rest

 

Nevermore his smile you'll see

Nevermore he'll sing with thee

Nevermore you'll touch his hair

Evermore cries your despair

 

How can I remove thy pain?

All my jests now made in vain

For your heart is set on fire

Rages now the funeral pyre

 

Now new morn wakes in the east

Sleep is now thy weak release

Rest, fair one, and cry no more

For new day has more in store

 

This, the fate of mortal Man

Death brings grief to every clan

Seek your friends and family

Solace in love's harmony

 

I will sit with you tonight

I will hold you very tight

Above stars course through unknown plan

Here, my love, come take my hand.

 

 

 

©2009, Sheila Kline and Richard Puetter, each and individually

All rights reserved

 

 

 

 

Author: Randolph Femmer. Rights: Public Domain, life.nbii.gov. Library of Images from the Environment. Original image can be found at http://images.nbii.gov/R%20Femmer/D_high-res/60-Sunrise-3-little-inn-August-26.jpg

Author's Note

Again, I need to thank Sheila Kline for the inspiration to write this poem. It was her idea to pick this topic and gave it its birthing push and direction. Thank you, Sheila!

Reviews

[Marie Anzalone]

"How can I remove thy pain?"

At the heart of this flawless collaboration is this single question. Sometimes, the answer is simply, "You cannot" We are uncomfortable in the presence of such deep seated grief because we have forgotten how to sit with it. This poem is masterful because it respects that. The sun is coming up tomorrow, but it's not a brand new day of wonder and forgetfulness... it is still going to HURT tomorrow, like it did today. The death of a child is supposed to hurt. You both have captured the need to honor the pain before it can be let go, and have done so with dignity and respect. There is no placating, no false reassurance. Wonderfully done, both of you. Thank you, Rick, for sharing.

[Mason Vail]

Given how quickly and instinctively my mind and soul recoil from the pain when I hear of someone else losing a child and knowing how much I love my own children, it was hard just reading this. I would never say the pain of death makes a beautiful topic, but the tenderness and honesty of the poem are beautiful. Normally, I don't feel like pictures accompanying poems add much, but in this case, I think they are not only appropriate, but contribute to the power of the words.

[THE LOST ROSE]

Having loss a wife allowed me to feel pain. I can't imagine losing my son and having to wake up to the sun tomorrow. To pull from that experience and put in front of readers is amazing in its self. I don't care how long it has been after you lose a child it has to always hurt. I am of the belief that parents are not suppose to bury their children. This poem will last for a very long after this review in my mind. I now understand the meaning of praying for others. Thanks for creating and sharing.

[Mark]

How great the grief of losing a child is, I shall, bless God, never know. How consoling the arms of a friend can be in tortuous times, though, this I DO know. This is a wonderful, peaceful write, and you both are to be congratulated, Sheila for your fragile, courageous heart, and Rick for your masterful style.

[Lizanne]

Inspired by Blake and with the added insight from personal experience, emerges a powerful writing of a chapter in our life that we dread...the loss of a loved one. "How can I remove thy pain....All my jests now made in vain.... For your heart is set on fire....As now burns the funeral pyre." Nothing anyone does seems to ease the pain and the flood of tears does not put out the raging fire that permanently scars the heart. Two pens wrote as one in creating this masterpiece of poetic work.

[Fran Marie]

This, the fate of mortal Man
Death brings grief to every clan
Seek your friends and family
Solace in love's harmony

I especially like the above lines~ death indeed brings grief and sorrow
certainly that of a child~ Great Collaboration writE!

[Legion]

That was well done. You two work well together. Kudos.

[Ellen Hammond]

You have create a beautiful masterpiece out of heartwretching grief. Lovely rhyme, rhythm, and flow. But oh soooo sad. It seems you are both inspired by William Blake and it shows. Very nice collaboration, as it flows together with no apparent seams. * * * * *

[deeps]

OMG! This is so sad and yet touching
Very well written you two.
I am over come with emotion in this write.
Very well expressed. Well written.