This past year and a half has been trying for so many of us in so many ways. Particularly, it has brought grief and a lot of pain and sorrow to people who have lost loved ones in one way or another. As the world continues to deal with a world wide pandemic, and many of us continue to struggle with long term conditions and sometimes the unexpected loss of a loved one, it is more important now than ever that we offer safe spaces, love, care and understanding to those around us.
I was requested to write a poem for family friends who lost their father recently which I share here for anyone who might find these words helpful.
HANDS TO HOLD YOU
And I should begin by saying
that I know it is a long road,
There is no easy way to the end of grief.
It must be travelled through;
From one end to the other, a step at a time.
There is no easy way to live with grief,
It is hard on the mind, exhausting to the soul,
it is all of the things that are hard to control.
There is no way to put out the fire
The rage that comes with sorrow;
the knowing that there is nothing you can do.
But walk through. Walk through, a step at a time,
Walk through, knowing;
that there will be hands to hold you when the noise is over
hands to guide you when the next step is harder
there will be kindness that is willing to listen.
and grace for you in the lonely and quiet hours.
Faith is hardest to hold to
but there will be voices to pray, when you cannot.
And hands to hold you, when the noise is over.
Prescribing_Poetry 