Beautiful Bittersweet Life Poems

Exploring the world of life and grief through poetry.

Category: Poems

  • Rising From The Ashes

    Rising From The Ashes

    I was sure that the ashes of the life that I had
    before my husband died would bury me alive.
    The dull embers of what was left behind,
    were threatened with extinction by the weight of grief
    that encompassed my soul,
    making each step, each decision exhausting,
    as I traveled this world without my partner.

    And yet, with time and tears, the weight began to lift
    as I reentered life.
    No longer the woman I was,
    for she will never exist again.
    Instead, I had to find another me,
    with memories of my previous life
    serving as an anchor,
    and sails to set me on my new course.

    If I had made a vision board,
    none of the endeavors I would try
    would have been within the scope of my imagination.
    It was only when I was willing to say yes to life,
    full of trepidation and anxiety, my world began to grow.
    With each new adventure, I gained confidence.
    My mantra became, “I’ve already lived through the
    most painful episode in my life, how can anything be worse?”
    The grief was still a companion,
    but so was the joy of learning to be creative,
    which has provided the most healing
    for my broken heart.

  • I Love You This Much

    I Love You This Much

    “Such strange math. The way it takes so little to create a joy so large.” Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer

    Little did I know,
    my sweet Hummingbird friend,
    that all the special qualities
    that I have ascribed to you
    when you flit about me
    were already known by generations of Native Americans.
    Your mere presence and perfection
    reminds me of how much I am loved,
    that something so perfect exists in the world
    is a gift that I never take for granted.
    I feel immense joy as I watch you maneuver
    backwards and forwards, diving down to your favorite flower,
    to fill yourself with nectar, satisfying your hunger.
    You put on an air show with maneuvers
    that would put the best pilot to shame.
    And if the stars are aligned,
    I get to see you at rest on a branch,
    or bathing in a reflecting pond,
    taking a moment to breathe in the world.
    I stop as I take in your minute details,
    calmness overtaking me as I
    cherish this time we spend together.
    You bring me hope and healing when my soul is troubled,
    reminding me that there’s time to explore the world,
    but I must rest as well, if I’m to absorb
    the splendor that surrounds me.

  • Friend, Mate, Amiga: Reflections On Friendship

    Friend, Mate, Amiga: Reflections On Friendship

    For Nancy

    I greet you with, “Hello, friend,”
    a sacred salutation of recognition
    of the deep connection that we share.
    For it is in this space that we are united
    by a bond deeper than blood.
    For we choose each other
    to share this short time on the planet.
    We’ve shared so much over the years
    that the depth of our laughter flows
    from the earth in a cascade of water
    rushing downstream in wild abandon.
    Our hearts find comfort and safety
    in each other’s company
    when they’ve been shattered
    by the sorrow that comes from living and loving.
    As the seasons of our life continue to change,
    and we face new challenges,
    I’m grateful for the solace I’ve found
    knowing that we traverse this road together.
    Although we live far apart from each other,
    when I hear your voice,
    I will always feel that you are just around the corner.

    Best Friends Forever
  • Choose Kindness: Random Acts of Kindness Day

    Choose Kindness: Random Acts of Kindness Day

    Grand gestures are not required.
    For when we meet each other
    with an open heart, a kind smile,
    a warm embrace, greeting a stranger,
    reaching our hand out to someone else,
    we are making the world a better place.
    We may never see the outcome, but know,
    you have made a difference by choosing kindness.

  • What If

    What If

    On Living With a Chronic Condition

    Sweetheart, it’s okay to stop fighting.
    It’s not giving up, but coming to terms
    with the reality that was not of your choice.
    For if combat was an option against
    a body that refuses to work the way it once did,
    you would be better by now.
    The stash of energy that you could draw on before
    is now depleted and doesn’t recharge easily.
    What if you chose to shower yourself
    with kindness and compassion instead?
    It wouldn’t undo the physical changes,
    but, oh, how it will soothe your weary soul.
    It will give you the space to breathe deeply,
    What if you treat yourself like
    your best friend?
    How gentle you would be,
    holding them in a warm loving embrace,
    meeting them right where they’re at.
    What if you allowed yourself to grieve
    the life you once lived so easily?
    It’s not a sign of weakness or surrender,
    but choosing to find some serenity
    on a journey that is already wearisome.
    I know, sweetheart, that there are days
    when it all feels too much, but what if
    you took a moment, an hour, a day,
    to give yourself a break from the demands in your head
    and just be.