A Minute With You // A Poem about Grieving and Growing
This is one of those 3am poems. You know, those strings of thoughts that run through your head in the middle of the night when you're thinking about the person who went away.
I think a lot about how far I've come since my brother died. Then, since my dad died.
How far I've come... still, I think about what I'd trade for all the wisdom I've gained, for all the beauty I've made, for all the love I've done in their name: a minute with them.
Just one minute.
A moment.
That's all it'd take to send you running to the door to welcome them home, even if it meant throwing away every single treasure you've found since they left.
A hug, a kiss on the forehead, a bond unbroken, a little bit of hope to hang on to. A precious moment worth more than anything.
You can think these things and still feel overwhelming gratitude for what they taught you by leaving.
It's hard to be grateful for how far you've come, though. It's a difficult thing, to grieve, no matter what. No matter how long it's been. No matter what's happened since. No matter what you believe in.
I know that, and I see you.
If you're intent on picking up the pieces and rebuilding something new, but you still can't help thinking how good it'd feel to trade it all away, here's a poem for that.
A Minute With You: A Poem about Grieving and Growing
I would burn it all down just to have a minute with you.
All the lessons learned and the wisdom gained, I would throw it all away.
Every beautiful thing I've made from the rubble you left behind, I would cast it all aside just to see you one more time.
All the love I've found and kept and saved, I would release it from my heart like birds from a cage. If I could just share a minute with you.
If you weren't the one who flew away, I would have turned to you to ease my pain. I would have asked you if I was doing okay with the pieces you left me with that day.
Humbled to dust. Heart, wide open. So much space in the place you claimed when you left.
If it weren't for your leaving, I would not know how deep the heart goes, the distance that can be crossed, how to fill this void with the light of who you were, all the light you still give to me. All this wonder and grace, the strength of your presence that I have no name for.
If you would promise to spend just a minute more with me, I would promise you everything.
I would tell you everything I need you to hear.
I will clothe myself in everything beautiful you left behind.
I will listen for your voice in the wind that pushes me forward. I will trust what you send me from the other side. I will stay, a seeker in the world, and I will look into the trees and sit by the water and tilt my head to the sky. I will tell you about every shard of joy I find.
You can live through me.
I will know you by the way I feel inside, and I'll treasure every minute we share outside of time.
. . .
Tell me:
Which part of this poem spoke to what you're going through, or where you've been?
Tell me in the comments. I'm inspired by everything you share.
~ Jen
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Comments on this post (11)
Madalyn, may the cracks be filled with something stronger. Sending you my love and a big hug. x
— Jennifer Williamson
I would burn it all down just to have a minute with you.
All the lessons learned and the wisdom gained, I would throw it all away.
Every beautiful thing I’ve made from the rubble you left behind, I would cast it all aside just to see you one more time.
All the love I’ve found and kept and saved, I would release it from my heart like birds from a cage. If I could just share a minute with you
I think my heart is broken
— Madalyn Chavez
Susan, thank you for sharing this with me! I’m so glad you can share this poem in your group. May you feel your daughter’s strength and presence while you read, and in every waking moment for the rest of your life here. My heart goes out to you and to everyone who you’ll share this with.
— Jennifer Williamson
Every single part of this poem spoke to me. I was so happy to find this ….I needed a poem to read for my grief group for our Celebration of Life event, for those grieving a loved one. When I read this, I knew this was the one! My daughter passed nearly 4 years ago and I only hope that I can get through the poem without crying. I will have to practice. So, thank you for you beautiful, beautiful thoughts😊
— Susan Graham
Ashley, I think he does want you to know… thank you for being here. I’m sending you a big hug and wishing you the light and peace you need to come through this, with love still blooming in your heart. May you feel his love and presence with you always. Email me anytime for support or just an ear to listen. My heart is with you. Carry on. x
— Jennifer Williamson
Thank you for your poem.
I lost my best friend and greatest love.
" I will trust what you send me from the other side. I will stay, a seeker in the world, and I will look into the trees and sit by the water and tilt my head to the sky. I will tell you about every shard of joy I find."
“I will live for you.”
These are the messages he wants me to know, through you.
I’m grateful that you share your experience and wisdom. Blessings <3
— Ashley
Paul, this is so powerful. Thank you for this.
— Jennifer Williamson
Diane, thank you for sharing how you feel here. I imagine how painful that alone can be sometimes. My heart is with you. “I have come to know that his love will never leave me.” I know that truth too <3
— Jennifer Williamson
I have walked and walked
Haven’t reached home yet
My home is where you are
Where have you gone
I know not
No footprints
No (pagdandi)pathways
No address
No phone number
I know one thing: you live in my heart
I feel it! You throb my heart!
You live in my heart.
Where should I live then?
I walk and walk and walk
But can’t reach home.
Not yet
You live in my heart!
There is no home for me!
I walk. I walk. I walk!
— Paul Goyal
My husband died suddenly and unexpectedly 6 months ago. He was 64, and we’d been together for 40 years. I’m now alone coping with all the usual affairs. His father and my mother are in their nineties and need support. I gave up my career due to breast cancer, so I was so unprepared to lose him.
I was determined to cope for him because I know he would want me to. I’ve achieved many things, but would give them all up for just a few minutes to talk to him. I have realised that him leaving has forced me to look for and find a strength I did not know I had. I am sometimes amazed and grateful for my own strength. I know I will go on and I feel he supports me. As I walk my little dog every day I look at nature and the sky and feel the peace and joy of the world, and I feel something is pushing me forward. I can’t describe it.
The whole poem exactly describes how I feel. I have come to know that his love will never leave me
Thankyou so much
Diane
— Diane
Hi Jen,
Read a beautiful passage today.
1 Corinthians 13:3
So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love
— Jack Hurst