It’s World Poetry Day today, so I hope you don’t mind if I share this poem with you. I began writing it in the last few days of my nan’s life; it’s her funeral today.
My nan was in her nineties, a fiercely proud Italian and about the most headstrong of characters you could ever wish to meet. She loved unconditionally and went down fighting; a real Trojan of a woman.
I don’t know much about poetry and don’t usually write it. The opening lines just appeared in my head on my way to visit her for what I knew would be the final time – she was too ill to soldier on.
Then when I sat down to work on the poem, the words just flowed. Sometimes writing is like that. You don’t know what you want to say until the words emerge on the page. That’s part of the magic.
My nan was a natural-born storyteller and loved to be the centre of things, so I know she’d be thrilled to have her own poem, shared with the world. I can imagine her now, nodding sagely to anyone who’d listen, “my storia, on the compute.” So here it is.
A Poem For World Poetry Day
For You
Death calls me to you like a beckoning hand. You were there at my beginning, I’ll be there at your end.
I wait at your bedside unsure what to wish. I don’t want you to leave us nor to suffer on like this.
I’ve said goodbye often in case death comes too soon. Each time I must pretend like it’s not in the room.
The end must be frightening, I hope you’re not aware. Your body’s calmed by drugs, I pray you’re peaceful sleeping there.
You’re not ours for the keeping, not much longer for this world. You’ve lived your happy years, you’ll soon be floating like a bird.
I’ll remember you exactly, every wrinkle of your skin. It seems as thin as paper but what strength lies deep within.
I’ll recall the love you had for me, for everyone you met. You had the biggest heart, a treasure no one will forget.
Sometimes you loved too deeply, I think that broke you in the end. You never gave up on human nature, fought for family and friend.
The world will be much poorer once all your love has gone. But it will be our wish to see your strength of heart lives on.
So I know your time is short now, let’s these precious moments spend. You were there at my beginning, I’ll be right there at your end.
Over to you
So that was my very small contribution to World Poetry Day. Have you ever written any poetry? Do you have a favourite poet? I always loved the darkness of Sylvia Plath. If you have any thoughts, I would love to hear them – please scroll down and type something in the Comments box.
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What next
If this resonated with you, my post From My Heart to Yours. Yours Which Did Not Beat For Long has a similar style.
If you want to know more about who wrote this poem, take a look at my About Me page and then my Mother’s Day Apology.
If you’re interested in the writing process, read my Confessions of a Writer here.
Why not read the clever poem Mirror by Sylvia Plath.
Or check out The Poetry Society website.
Credit for featured image – Photo by Nubia Navarro (nubikini) from Pexels
Ohhhh it’s a beautiful poem written for your nan… How proud she must be 💚❤️💚❤️💚❤️🇮🇹
Thank you lovely lady. She would love your hearts and flags. Xx
Oh my goodness what a beautiful poem! I had a massive lump in my throat when reading this.
Thank you, that’s very sweet. X
What a beautiful way to honor your nan❤
Thanks Marta. X
This is beautiful x
Thanks Fran. X
That is such a beautiful poem. I wrote a poem and read it at my Gran’s funeral 10yrs ago.
Well done you! I wasn’t that brave. X
Such a beautiful poem and so fitting for today! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading, Lyndsey, and taking the time to comment. X
Oh that’s so beautiful. What a wonderful poem to write for someone.
Thank you. Glad you liked it. X
That’s a beautiful poem, written from the heart ❣ xx
Thanks honey. Xx
My condolences on your nan’s passing. What a beautiful poem! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you too, for taking the time to read and comment. X
A lovely poem for your Nan x
Thanks Lisa. X
So So beautiful. I hope your Nanna continues to have a beautiful journey in Heaven. Sending you hugs xxx
Thank you, lovely lady. That’s very kind. Xx
What a gorgeous poem. So heartfelt, it made me emotional!
What a lovely thing to say. Thank you. Xx
Such a beautiful poem and so full of emotion.
Thank you for your kind comment. X
My condolences on this loss 🙏 And what a touching poem. Your nan must be proud of you wherever she is 🙂
Thanks Reema, what a lovely thought. X
So beautiful, it brought a tear to my eye. 😓
I lost my Nan and Grandad within a few weeks of each other last year, and missed Nan’s funeral due to being poorly in hospital. So feel like I never really got to say goodbye. I might trying writing something myself, I imagine it was cathartic to write x
I’m so sorry to hear that. Yes, get writing. It helps to make sense of things. I know what you mean about funerals – they do help you to get some closure. Sorry you missed your nan’s, although I’m sure you have a lifetime of great memories. X
Beautiful. It’s a real privilege to be there at the end of someone’s life much like being at the beginning, she would have known you were there and been comforted. I love how your poem comes full circle.
Thank you for your lovely comment. Xx
Fantastic poem, I related to it the whole way through after losing my gran a couple of years ago. Sorry for your loss although it sounds like she’d rather have you celebrate than grieve.
Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. Glad it made sense to you. I’m sorry for your loss too – grandmothers are precious things. X