What a deep resonant chord this strikes in me, for so many reasons.
In the past few years I have experienced the loss of what I thought were close friendships. My connection with these individuals was through heart, soul, spirit…and the departure of such intimacy - in two cases without explanation - brought a grief that hit hard. In one case, the loss is really not mine, but my dear friend whose son was brutally murdered in Chicago. Her grief is very understandably profound, and the navigation forward so challenging. I will ask her to read your words if she desires; she may find words of understanding and comfort.
I was just relating how I felt through loss and longing in my life and I am surprised how it has resonated with others. Writing and drawing were my outlets but I rarely show the emotional poetry to others. xx
Thank you for this post on good mourning, and sorry for such a belated comment. It is lovely to read your poetry and insights on how to help us when we face loss. Recently I have lost too many dear friends and find solace in your creativity. The painting is beautiful !
Thank you Marika. I wrote what I felt at the time throughout the months and years. It is difficult losing a spouse or close friends but we will all meet again xxx
I have returned to this fine suite of poems several times. Thank you. This as you say is for mourning, not the wild grief of regret and estrangement that haunted Thomas Hardy's pain.
'Two cups' for sorrow, yet possibility dreams rock solid, footsteps in the lane, the shining rain.
Thank you Philip, I chose to put up those poems but have several others. I did create a book of them never published for the public... perhaps one day. I know what you mean about Thomas Hardy's pain. A friend of mine was reading his poetry in Oxford and I felt the grief and loneliness and the incredible sparseness of the scenery just listening to the words. ***
'Perhaps one day' ... I have been meaning to come back and encourage you in that possibility. Old age and recent spine injury (improving thankfully) prompted me to address my own ongoing accumulation. I have been attempting selection. This seems to result in some useful revision and tightening ... ongoing, 😊.
Hardy ... I was remembering his stricken poems 1912 -1913. 'Beeny Cliff' bulks so large, and the 'strange straight line' of the sea. I am reminded I have a strange Dorset footnote story of friends and a churchyard that I do not know how to honour.
Thank you one again for your beautiful wording of something so essential to all of us.
As deep as the darkest blue ocean.
Blessed are the ones who are gifted to project and embody such emotions so that we might learn, and share and live through both bliss and disaster. How strong we are in these shared feelings.
In this, in mourning, in deep melancholia, I am but a novice.
I am glad you took the turn in changing the direction of this post. Longing and loss ..it was a much needed read. My dad passed 5 yrs ago this August, It is still hard for me. May through August every year I see my posts on Facebook memories asking for prayers and updating family on what was a quick rollercoaster ride. Finding out end of May he had cancer to first week of August he was gone. Thank you..your words are thoughtful, helpful and comforting.
I love that. Thank you Caitlin. Such a lovely little poem that also gives comfort and makes one know that ‘belonging’ feeling and why the break is painful. Thank you. Xxx
Love the post. The words are so heartfelt and deep. your words have helped with the loss of my mother who died with Covid and I never got to say goodbye. such wonderful advise
Your writing has struck a deep chord with me. Losing my brother suddenly, (who was so powerfully talented in voice, and the arts, strikingly handsome)I was lost. Suddenly, I was taken with Robin’s music and beautiful voice… left me confused. I sought answers from my medium who quickly answered…” your brother sent you this, he is wondering how can you not know “… brought a smile to my face, peace and understanding. Your writing puts one’s feelings into to words. God Bless you Dwina. You have helped bring solace to many.
Thank you Joanne. Losing a sibling is particularly difficult. It must have been very difficult for Barry losing three brothers. Getting immersed in the arts is definitely a healing source of comfort. XX
Oh my, how yours words resonate with me. They struck a chord with me as I continue to navigate my way through the loss of my darling husband. Thank you. All best wishes.
I know that feeling too well. It takes time and immersing oneself in the arts, especially writing, even letters, not necessarily poems, helps incredibly. XX
Thank you and I agree. Although I have never considered myself a poet or writer, I have written letters to my late husband and one to myself. Seeing the words written down, even though many I have said over the years to him, and being able to reread them has been a source of therapy and comfort x.
An unusual occurrence after Robin left... people high up in the music industry wrote notes and letters to his phone afterwards, saying how much his voice and songs had meant to them over the years. As if sending the words into the aether would get to him.
They certainly are and however anyone chooses to express their feelings and emotions, especially at such difficult times, can bring such comfort. Thank you for sharing yours x.
Wonderful words as always, and so deeply moving. I always say that the best way to overcome sorrow is to celebrate the life of those who are gone. You do this beautifully here. I remember you working with Caitlin and experiencing the wonder of otherworldly dogs!
Thank you for sharing these words Dwina. I am sure they will help many people to express their own feelings of loss, as they have helped me. God bless.
What a deep resonant chord this strikes in me, for so many reasons.
In the past few years I have experienced the loss of what I thought were close friendships. My connection with these individuals was through heart, soul, spirit…and the departure of such intimacy - in two cases without explanation - brought a grief that hit hard. In one case, the loss is really not mine, but my dear friend whose son was brutally murdered in Chicago. Her grief is very understandably profound, and the navigation forward so challenging. I will ask her to read your words if she desires; she may find words of understanding and comfort.
I was just relating how I felt through loss and longing in my life and I am surprised how it has resonated with others. Writing and drawing were my outlets but I rarely show the emotional poetry to others. xx
Thank you for doing so this time.
I express these things with songwriting, which can bring feelings of vulnerability forward…I understand.
Hi Dwina,
Your insights are always delightful to read! I hope to read more from you! :)
You explained loss so wonderfully, loved how you explained the different types of loss. I related to it
and I'm so grateful!
All the best-
Cait x
Dear Cait,
Thank you. The poems were heartfelt and just tumbled out. Some poetry has to be worked at but some just emerges. Xxx
Thank you for this post on good mourning, and sorry for such a belated comment. It is lovely to read your poetry and insights on how to help us when we face loss. Recently I have lost too many dear friends and find solace in your creativity. The painting is beautiful !
Thank you Marika. I wrote what I felt at the time throughout the months and years. It is difficult losing a spouse or close friends but we will all meet again xxx
The painting is one of the paintings i did for The StarChild, a Sci Fi Children’s story not published yet. Xxx
Oh looking forward to that!
I have returned to this fine suite of poems several times. Thank you. This as you say is for mourning, not the wild grief of regret and estrangement that haunted Thomas Hardy's pain.
'Two cups' for sorrow, yet possibility dreams rock solid, footsteps in the lane, the shining rain.
Thank you Philip, I chose to put up those poems but have several others. I did create a book of them never published for the public... perhaps one day. I know what you mean about Thomas Hardy's pain. A friend of mine was reading his poetry in Oxford and I felt the grief and loneliness and the incredible sparseness of the scenery just listening to the words. ***
'Perhaps one day' ... I have been meaning to come back and encourage you in that possibility. Old age and recent spine injury (improving thankfully) prompted me to address my own ongoing accumulation. I have been attempting selection. This seems to result in some useful revision and tightening ... ongoing, 😊.
Hardy ... I was remembering his stricken poems 1912 -1913. 'Beeny Cliff' bulks so large, and the 'strange straight line' of the sea. I am reminded I have a strange Dorset footnote story of friends and a churchyard that I do not know how to honour.
It will be lovely to see your collection when they are ready. I look forward to it. ***
Dear Dwina!
Thank you one again for your beautiful wording of something so essential to all of us.
As deep as the darkest blue ocean.
Blessed are the ones who are gifted to project and embody such emotions so that we might learn, and share and live through both bliss and disaster. How strong we are in these shared feelings.
In this, in mourning, in deep melancholia, I am but a novice.
Love, Tina. <3
Tina, you draw and paint heart-felt pictures. it is the same as expression in words, and as emotive. ***
Thank you Dwina! I feel blessed that I can, and I would have crumbled if I couldn´t.
But listening or seeing that I am not alone in this means even more to me. <3
I am glad you took the turn in changing the direction of this post. Longing and loss ..it was a much needed read. My dad passed 5 yrs ago this August, It is still hard for me. May through August every year I see my posts on Facebook memories asking for prayers and updating family on what was a quick rollercoaster ride. Finding out end of May he had cancer to first week of August he was gone. Thank you..your words are thoughtful, helpful and comforting.
I am glad you found comfort in these words, Kristy. Cancer is such a silent and encroaching enemy that snatches loved ones away so quickly. XXX
The bright joy is never lost -
It spills through tears and longing.
The separation is but brief,
Our pain speaks of belonging.
Much love
I love that. Thank you Caitlin. Such a lovely little poem that also gives comfort and makes one know that ‘belonging’ feeling and why the break is painful. Thank you. Xxx
And thank you for your invaluable help at the time. I shall not forget it. You are a true soul midwife! Xxxx
Love the post. The words are so heartfelt and deep. your words have helped with the loss of my mother who died with Covid and I never got to say goodbye. such wonderful advise
So sorry to hear about your mother. Covid was a terrible scourge on humanity. Sad years.XXX
Thank you for sharing your heart felt poems and more about sweet Robin
Glad you liked it, Christine. Sometimes it is hard for people to share these feelings. Xxx
Sitting here with my morning coffee, reading your words and knowing how deeply they struck home. Thank you for this.
Thank you Nancy. Without the words that came through, I think it would have been more difficult. xx.
Your writing has struck a deep chord with me. Losing my brother suddenly, (who was so powerfully talented in voice, and the arts, strikingly handsome)I was lost. Suddenly, I was taken with Robin’s music and beautiful voice… left me confused. I sought answers from my medium who quickly answered…” your brother sent you this, he is wondering how can you not know “… brought a smile to my face, peace and understanding. Your writing puts one’s feelings into to words. God Bless you Dwina. You have helped bring solace to many.
Thank you Joanne. Losing a sibling is particularly difficult. It must have been very difficult for Barry losing three brothers. Getting immersed in the arts is definitely a healing source of comfort. XX
Oh my, how yours words resonate with me. They struck a chord with me as I continue to navigate my way through the loss of my darling husband. Thank you. All best wishes.
I know that feeling too well. It takes time and immersing oneself in the arts, especially writing, even letters, not necessarily poems, helps incredibly. XX
Thank you and I agree. Although I have never considered myself a poet or writer, I have written letters to my late husband and one to myself. Seeing the words written down, even though many I have said over the years to him, and being able to reread them has been a source of therapy and comfort x.
An unusual occurrence after Robin left... people high up in the music industry wrote notes and letters to his phone afterwards, saying how much his voice and songs had meant to them over the years. As if sending the words into the aether would get to him.
Perhaps they did, Words and emotions are very powerful in the universe.
They certainly are and however anyone chooses to express their feelings and emotions, especially at such difficult times, can bring such comfort. Thank you for sharing yours x.
Wonderful words as always, and so deeply moving. I always say that the best way to overcome sorrow is to celebrate the life of those who are gone. You do this beautifully here. I remember you working with Caitlin and experiencing the wonder of otherworldly dogs!
Caitlin helped me during that time and her singing was a journey in itself. I was so glad to see the wolfhound there.
Thank you for sharing these words Dwina. I am sure they will help many people to express their own feelings of loss, as they have helped me. God bless.
Thank you Christine. Part and parcel of life but we do get through it. Xx