Death is such a hard task-master. A child's death is the hardest to understand. But, from all experience is born new knowledge. If we but look and hope, new life can be found beyond the tears of grief.
The flowering peach,
a daughter's bloom,
each February
she lived
in tiny pink bud.
Her tree fed my memory,
flitted across my vision
with nectar so sweet with sorrow
that the sky wept.
Oh, such weight
the delicate pink
butterfly flower held.
It took her place somehow
and lived for her each year.
A tree-gift from the fluttering
girls and boys of second grade,
now almost middle aged
with children named
Michelle, perhaps.
She will always be eight,
the bright and moving child
of my youth,
so spark and full of fire.
The first that captured my heart
and held it,
she holds it still.
She died again this fall, Michelle,
her leaves turned and bid a final
tremble to the ground.
The tree no longer lives,
just a sentinel stark and bleak
its gamine trunk.
But
under the canopy that burned
my heart again
from brown and rotting leaves
emerges the everlasting
circle of creation,
a fragile new beginning
strong with claims of yes.
If you especially appreciated this author, we'll be happy to show you where you can find more of their poems
(c) 2000 Martie Please respect the rights of the author and Passions in Poetry. If you would like to use this poem on your own web page, please contact the Author. Thank you.
You've painted a mental picture of life, love, loss, and the continuation of love and life. a true potrait of words.
angie
it was bitter sweet
Alecia
It was really very well. It almost brought tears to my eyes. It touched me deeply you see I'm a poet as well.
Adam
I seriously am gonna die after reading your grieving yet miraculous poem. I love it so much. There's such deep meaning in it.
paige
it really sweet
Sarah
YOU ARE SUCH A GREAT POET AND YOU ARE SOO TALENTED IN WRITING THAT WAS AN AWSOME POEM AND THAT WAS REALLY TOUCHING
alythia
this poem truly touched my heart,it was as beautiful as the words dipicted the little angel to be. a blessing for you i send, for lonely hearts to mend. love,peace and light to you alythia (G. B)
Naomi
Very moving. Thank you.
Emily
Hi my name is Emily, Im 13 years old and when i was in 2nd grade one of my best friends died right before school let out. This touched me and made me remeber her. The akward this is , is that 1 year after she passed away the childeren from her grade went to the primary school and planted an oak tree. This touched me with rememberance.
SABRINA
tHIS POEM IS SO SAD, iT IS BEAUTIFUL. yOU HAVE TOUCHED ME SO DEARLY.
merc
i think this poem is very unique and beautiful,good job.
wendy
wonderful,touching .
Robert
"She will always be eight, the bright and moving child of my youth" - beautiful words. Thank you.
Larry
I know Marie's loss and that is enough, perhaps even too much.
Reyna Luz
i dnt know exactly what death is all aboutbut surely it will give a huge scars in my heart if i'm going to experienceit
Kaylah
Your poems has touched my heart in many ways as i have lost me little boy,just last week and i needed some reasureance just remember that there are holes in the floor of heaven and they are watching over you and me. hang on in there
MoRgAn
omg. i have just had a friend to die and i know what it is like. It has been 3 weeks, and it feels like im never going to get over it. Y'all just pray for me
Anne
I liked this poem but it made me cry a little bit. I've never had this happen to me before and I probley don't know how hard it would be.
Dana
I came across this site by chance a few years ago. I read this poem, and I couldn't get some of the lines out of my head. Very nicely done.
All Visitor Comments on this poem have been posted by people who wanted to let the author know the poem touched their hearts. If you would like to leave a comment of your own, please click the Vote button in the Response Panel above.
