As if haunted by a ghost within
I felt the breath of what had been
I never felt the kick nor complained
I never said your beautiful name
I am sorry for I could not recite
To anyone what happened that lonely night
Twelve weeks of holding you, my secret blessing
Memories so blue.
Each day I walked carefully, hoping n'er to stir thee
I prayed to an unknown God that you would live
Like the others should've.
You were my secret, my very own
My heart still aches you did not come home
Those three months I felt so sure
That if I remained calm, it would cure
The shredded walls of years before
You were not my first that was never born
Your life I will forever mourn
Bent over with salty tears, pain still rings
From my earlier years.
Little star, I want you to know, I am sorry
That we could not grow, closer as Mother and child
I trust that you are a spirit free with a smile
I learned something that saved my life
Loving you strengthened me
You taught me patience
I found in time
That I could share love
Without confines
My womb did not carry the child I love
Yet no less love has been spared
Like a sunray on a gray day
Your life though short taught me to believe
Love is great in any degree
My child now grown
Knows not of you
Fear kept me from being true
For they are loved with a full heart
Never compared to your first start.
My womb is old now, growing smaller
As natural as the river flows
I thought about you just a night ago
You my teacher, a lesson well taught
Love is fleeting, love is fraught
Your name is Grace, so sweet the smell
Of the blood we shared
That night in hell
I have no answer, but I know
You are with me even so.
Twelve weeks, baby Grace
Drawers I lined with clothes and lace
I miss you in a happy way
For you gave me what I have today.
A family not built on blood
Yet as bountiful
As the light that floods
Across the moon, into my heart
You gave me Grace, a bigger heart.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Hannah's Challenge
I joined Vocal two years ago, a prick of enthusiasm beseeching me to throw caution to the wind, pay the readies and have a stab at a long stagnated pleasure. It worked remarkably well. I dipped in my toe, finding the water a little cooler than I had hoped, but as I stood there up to my ankles, I realised it was rather invigorating, and by the time I was up to my knees, it was pleasingly tepid. I dove in and swam out to where others were tossing balls about and wrestling over lilos and proceeded to have a whale of a time splashing about, sometimes missing my footing or getting water in my eye, but sometimes turning elegant somersaults and graceful dives.
By Hannah Moore5 days ago in Writers
Comments (2)
❤️😭. I’m so sorry for the loss of Grace. This was such a beautiful poem.
This was phenomenal to read! Intense, painful but so much love and hope. Great job!! 👏😊