top of page

Because You Are Gone

This poem was prompted by a recurrent dream/nightmare that I have whereby I cannot find my Husband. I search and search and in the end the only conclusion I can come to in my dream is that he has passed away, the grief I feel is intense and very real. I swithered about posting the but I think it is important to share the real depths to which this disease can take us.


Because You Are Gone


When I awaken in the night

I hear music out of sight

every note is clear and true,

every bar a song for you.

Is it real? It matters not

it’s just in that moment I forgot

that you are gone - and I am here


I lie awake and think of you

and all the crazy stuff you’d do

but the bed is cold where you should sleep

and I shed tears - until I cannot weep

for drowning in this sea of grief

and cursing death - the bitter thief.

Because you are gone – and I am here


Stiff arms and legs pinned to the bed,

blood pulsing loudly in my head.

It’s such a heavy coat I wear,

it weighs me down and does not care

for chirping birds that come at dawn,

on sun’s warm rays it pours scorn

because you are gone - and I am here.


And when I rise I wear the coat

buttoned tightly at my throat

and wrapped around my waist a belt

a reminder of the love I felt.

The coat is my protective shield

the love inside I will not yield.

though you are gone - and I am here.



My coat has many pockets deep

full of things I wish to keep,

a handkerchief, a piece of string,

the scent of you, a golden ring.

My memories wrapped up in fluff

but they are simply not enough -

now you are gone – and I am here.


And when the day is nearly done

I at last return - where it begun,

wrapped in my coat upon the bed

while thoughts of you fill my head

and pray that when asleep I drift

I dream of you - a simple gift,

4件のコメント


Dawson Stafford
Dawson Stafford
2023年6月08日

Ali, we all have that fear of losing one so dear and shed another tear but celebate another year. A lovely poem enspired by a nightgmare! Thanks for sharing.

いいね!

John Dallison
John Dallison
2023年6月07日

Simply put but deeply felt, your splendid poem conveys all the sorrow and anguish of love and loss.

いいね!

Alice Carroll
Alice Carroll
2023年6月07日

Alison, brilliant poem as usual. I hope it was therapeutic to write it and share such raw emotions.

(I made a typo and may have coined a new word. I typed therapoetic instead of therapeutic.)

いいね!

不明なメンバー
2023年6月06日

I can sense the panic and fear behind the discovery of his absence along with deep love. Very moving.

いいね!
bottom of page