Category Archives: loss
The Way Back
The Way Back from loss
A struggle each day
My heart torn in half
I wished he could stay
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Alas, not to be
His job was complete
Fulfilled, he must go
Ancestors to meet
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The Way Back from grief
I stumble and fall
In potholes of pain
Picked up to stand tall
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New chapters to write
And places to see
More people to help
Adventures for me
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The teacher is life
To live it, to learn
Move forward he says
My love’s at each turn
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The Way Back takes time
To heal and move on
With wide open eyes
To see what’s beyond.
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Excited and daunted
My soul will be fed
I know it’s the path
The Way Back I tread
Along the Shore
Crashing waves, I remember
Many walks along the shore
Hand in hand we strolled through life
Facing storms and sunny days
A double rainbow lights the sky
I see your gentle spirit
Telling me your love transcends
Sea and sand along the shore
Brilliant hues against dark sky
Errant waters lap my toes
Feeling close but far away
I walk with you along the shore
Sail on, my Captain
Sixteen years ago I wrote the following lighthearted poem in honor of my husband Roger and two friends, Roger and Mike, who raced our sailboat in the 1998 National Catalina Race held in Westbrook, Connecticut. They took first for the tall rig division in all three races. Yes, readers, the sailboat’s name was Sloopy, the inspiration for the fictional 36 foot sloop that Liz and Garret live aboard in Murder in Mystic, Murder in Newport and Two Headed Snake of Key West. Our Sloopy was fast and my husband could make a mighty Margarita.
I am sharing this with you in memory of my husband, who passed away on July 1, 2014. Sail on, my captain.
The pressure was on
To win a glass cup
Each silently prayed
He wouldn’t screw up
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The guy thing, you know
Machismo, at best
The challenge would come
They’d be put to the test
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The good Lord was laughing
As they hoisted the main.
These three would need blessings,
And more, it was plain
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Wine made from water
Was easy for sure,
But Roger, Mike, Roger
Three races endure?
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The task was immense
But these were nice guys
He raised His arms up
And Sloopy did rise.
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She raced to the finish
Three bullets to boot
Miracles do happen.
There’s proof in the loot.
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The lesson each learned,
To celebrate life
Believe in oneself
Be good to your wife.
Surviving Loss
Stand tall to do it all
Accepting help with grace
The sense of loss will fade
The healing’s not a race
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Reach out to those in need
Give all that you can spare
Your heart will fill with love
While showing that you care
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Be good to you! Sing! Dance!
In time the joy returns
Your world will right itself
As everyone learns
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Enjoy each day with thanks
A gift is what it’s called
From up above it comes
Stand tall to do it all
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Marilyn Dalla Valle 