Ah, But You Left
A poem of grief
Ah, but you left too early
Before the toddler you'd become arrived
Who would have babbled at the table
Or leaned upon your mother's breast
Instead we've placed a marker in the churchyard
A marble lamb with an infant's name
Ah, but you left too early
Before the child you'd become arrived
Who would have sang your alphabets
And pouted when you didn't get your way
Instead we've placed a marker in the churchyard
A little cherub with a toddler's name
Ah, but you left too early
Before the young man you'd become arrived
Who would have learned to drive the green truck
and had trouble talking with the girls
Instead we've placed a marker in the churchyard
A pair of shoes with a child's name
Ah, but you left too early
Before the soldier you'd become arrived
Who would have learned to serve a nation
Or challenged those who hurt the weak
Instead we've placed a marker in the churchyard
A slab of stone with a young man's name
Ah, but you left too early
Before the father you'd become arrived
Who would have praised his child's endeavors
Or told them stories of the war
Instead we've placed a marker in the churchyard
A white stone slab with a soldier's name
Ah, but you left too early,
Before the old man you'd become arrived
Who would have idled in the garden
Or told us stories by the fire
Instead we've placed a marker in the churchyard
A granite cross with a father's name
Ah, but you left too early
Though your time for departure came
We would have had you live a century
And keep you here some way
Instead we've placed a marker in the churchyard
And pray we'll join you There one day
*****
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About the Creator
Judah LoVato
Dear Reader,
I hope you enjoy perusing my collection of works, and I would love to hear your thoughts on anything you read: what you liked, what you disliked, and any other feedback you may have.
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Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insight
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Comments (3)
You’re really good. ❤️
Nice work Wish someone would say how good my writing is
Great work! Fantastic ♥️❤️