April 19, 2012
Lost in April
Written and posted in memory of my Aunt Jeanne (my mother’s oldest and closest sister) who died suddenly on April 7, 2012…
Copyright 2012 by DM Denton
If only what was past
could come to life
like the willow
In April
when cold breezes still blow
and something like its heart
tells it to grow
and dries its fresh tears
of green.
The nodding daffodils
seem to agree
as they sound the
good news of
having shadows at last
while joined by violets
lost in the grass
rummaged by rabbits
and deer.
Not all the singing birds
are silenced for
the one fading
in my hand
perhaps choosing to die
on the fragile flight of
a butterfly
colored like the daffs
as if…
born of them.
Copyright 2012 by DM Denton
©Artwork and writing, unless otherwise indicated, are the property of Diane M Denton. Please request permission to reproduce or post elsewhere with a link back to bardessdmdenton. Thank you.
Ina said,
April 19, 2012 at 11:13 am
Hi Diane
My deepest condoleances for your loss.
This poem is such a tender farewell, and your artwork so beautiful.
{{ Diane }}
xx
Ina
bardessdmdenton said,
April 19, 2012 at 11:27 am
Thank you so much, Ina. It was quite a blow for my mom, especially. Although my aunt lived in Illinois (we are in NY), she and my mom talked on the phone quite a few times during the week. (my aunt was 84, my mom is 83) Love, Diane
weisserwatercolours said,
April 19, 2012 at 12:13 pm
These are such tender sentiments rendered in verse.
bardessdmdenton said,
April 19, 2012 at 4:51 pm
Thank you! I appreciate your comment very much.
catcherofstars said,
April 19, 2012 at 12:29 pm
Simple verses, yet profound. My heart goes out to you with all my empathy.
Andrea XOXO
bardessdmdenton said,
April 19, 2012 at 4:51 pm
Thank you so much, Andrea…it took me a while to write but I was pleased with how it came out. Hugs, Diane
Eve Redwater said,
April 19, 2012 at 12:35 pm
My deepest condolences Diane…
This really is beautiful.
Eve x
bardessdmdenton said,
April 19, 2012 at 4:52 pm
Thank you, Eve.
Laurel's Reflections said,
April 19, 2012 at 2:17 pm
Oh Diane, a hug for you, and for your mom, for your sad loss. The poem and artwork are beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. I am not being very articulate today, but very moved.
bardessdmdenton said,
April 19, 2012 at 4:54 pm
Hi Laurel. Thank you for your hugs and words…more than sufficient to know that it moved you a little (I was thinking of you too as I wrote it…)
a diamond uncut said,
April 19, 2012 at 2:33 pm
. .it is beautiful. .
so sorry for your loss.
bardessdmdenton said,
April 19, 2012 at 4:54 pm
Thank you so much. I so appreciate your comment and condolences.
Caddo Veil said,
April 19, 2012 at 2:36 pm
Diane, I am so sorry to hear of your loss, and will be keeping you and your family in prayer during this painful time. What lovely, soft words you wrote to honor your aunt–a beautiful tribute of love. God bless all of you. love, Caddo
bardessdmdenton said,
April 19, 2012 at 4:56 pm
Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers, Caddo. I wanted it to be a tribute about hope as well as loss…and nature always provides the inspiration for that…well, God through nature. Blessings and love, Diane
contemplativemoorings said,
April 20, 2012 at 2:15 am
A beautiful memorial…anyone who has lost can find themselves in these words…
bardessdmdenton said,
April 22, 2012 at 7:10 pm
Thank you. I so appreciate your comment and glad that my words can reach out so…
dfb said,
April 20, 2012 at 4:13 am
What a beautiful tribute, a moving post!
bardessdmdenton said,
April 22, 2012 at 7:10 pm
Thank you, David.
journeyintopoetry said,
April 20, 2012 at 5:18 am
This is a beautiful tribute Diane, and the illustrations, too, are as lovely as ever.
It’s so hard to bear when someone goes suddenly, but then I guess all loss is hard to bear however it happens
I’m sure this tribute will be of some succour to your um at a very sad time..
Much love
Christine
bardessdmdenton said,
April 22, 2012 at 7:12 pm
Thank you, Christine. Yes, such a sudden loss is hard…it will be so especially for her three daughters.
I wrote this especially for my mom, and she was glad of it, I think.
I so appreciate your thoughtful words.
Blessings, love and hugs,
Diane
Fergiemoto said,
April 22, 2012 at 7:36 pm
Such lovely sentiment and artwork, and a beautiful tribute to your aunt. I’m so sorry to hear of your loss.
bardessdmdenton said,
April 23, 2012 at 7:31 pm
Thank you so much! I appreciate your comment and condolences.
Thomas Davis said,
April 23, 2012 at 11:03 am
Ahhh, Diane, if only it could happen:
If only what was past
could come to life
like the willow
In April
when cold breezes still blow
and something like the sun
tells it to grow
But, of course, the past does not come to life. It lies behind us with days we can hardly remember and hours that blessed us so deeply that it makes us who we are. All we can do is remember what we can and hold the memory of those we have loved and who loved us in words or reflections back on moments that we did not notice as completely as we should have at the time.
You have made life beautiful in this poem–as it is beautiful. You have shown the grief made more powerful by the existence of beauty and the renewal of spring. I’m sorry your Aunt died.
May you, and especially your mother, let her spirit still brighten your days.
bardessdmdenton said,
April 23, 2012 at 7:23 pm
Thank you for your heartfelt comment, Thomas. Of course I thought of you and Ethel and Sonja when I wrote this. Grief is so personal and yet so universal too. I have a little plaque with a quote by St Augustine: “We are what we remember.” It seems, at first, like a way of being that holds us back, but somehow as the seasons move along out of ‘the memory’ of what was before so do we. As I write this spring is bowing and shivering under a barrage of icy snow today here. But tomorrow or the next day or the next it will lift up and wipe its tears and smile again. I shared your thoughtful lovely words with my mother and she was very moved by them (and by the grief you bear). She sends her heartfelt thanks to you too.
eof737 said,
April 24, 2012 at 9:57 pm
Sorry to read about your loss.. My condolences go out to your family. May she RIP.
bardessdmdenton said,
April 26, 2012 at 2:48 pm
Thank you so much.
Barbara Rodgers said,
April 25, 2012 at 9:39 am
Thoughtful, sweet and loving tributes – your poem and artwork for your Aunt Jeanne. I’m so sorry for your loss. I can only imagine what it must be like for your mom to lose a sister… Siblings are our life long companions, they are with us longer than our parents, spouses or children… *hugs*
bardessdmdenton said,
April 26, 2012 at 2:49 pm
Thank you, Barbara. I so appreciate your comment and condolences. Yes, my mom is being brave but I know it is very difficult for her. Even though her sister lived away, they would talk a few times a week on the phone. Hugs back!
Betty Hayes Albright said,
April 28, 2012 at 8:58 pm
What a beautiful poem, Diane. And my condolences on the loss of your Aunt Jeanne. Thinking of you and your family – it’s hard when that loss comes so suddenly and unexpectedly.
bardessdmdenton said,
April 29, 2012 at 4:03 pm
Oh, thank you so much, Betty. I so appreciate your taking the time to read and comment, and for your kind condolences. Blessings to you always!
Cindi Pugliese said,
April 30, 2012 at 11:50 am
So sorry for your loss, but like spring it will grow new blooms of life out of the darkness. Love your words and art so much.
bardessdmdenton said,
May 1, 2012 at 3:12 pm
Thank you, Cindy, for your beautiful condolences and appreciation! Have a wonderful day!
Archana said,
May 2, 2012 at 2:52 pm
Beautiful work!
bardessdmdenton said,
May 2, 2012 at 5:21 pm
Thank you, Archana, and for pointing me to your blog!
Margaret Griffin said,
May 6, 2012 at 3:28 am
What a wonderful gift to be able to mark the death of an older family member through art and verse. A great memorial to your aunt.
bardessdmdenton said,
May 6, 2012 at 7:41 pm
Hi Margaret! Thank you for your visit and kind comment. I will be visiting your blog very soon!