Bereavement Poem

[RuthD]

I am attending a grief support group and got this poem there. Here it is:

Don't Tell Me
by Joanetta Hendel

Don't tell me that you understand.
Don't tell me that you know.
Don't tell me that I will survive.
How I will surely grow.

Don't tell me this is just a test,
That I am truly blessed.
That I am chosen for this task,
Apart from all the rest.

Don't come at me with answers
That can only come from me,
Don't tell me how my grief will pass.
That I will soon be free.

Don't stand in poius judgement
of the bonds I must untie,
Don't tell me how to suffer,
And don't tell me how to cry.

My life is filled with selfishness
My pain is all I see,
But I need you, I need your love,
Unconditionally.

Accept me in my ups and downs,
I need someone to share,
Just hold my hand and let me cry,
And say, "My friend, I care."

 

[longcall911]

That's beautiful. Thank you so much for posting that. It now hangs on my refrigerator. As much as I've tried to be a good listener, I know I'm sometimes guilty of saying some pretty stupid things. This shall serve as a great reminder.

/*tom*/

 

[lindaunderwood]

That's lovely.

Do you know who wrote it?

I'd like to add iot to my website.

 

[ladyt28]

thank you Ruth - it's perfect........

 

[Moriah_Conquering_Wind]

yeah that bes a good one. and not just for grief but for other things people claim to "understand" but really don't -- depression, suicidal feelings, compulsions to self-harm, being overtaken by demons, going through a long recovery process, etc. that poem just all around says it all.

universal message to all befriending those bereft-for-whatever-reason: you can't fix it. don't even try. we just need someone to stick with us and love us. you can manage that, can't you? if not, please don't make it worse by trying to "fix it". Thanks.

 

[PastorGadget]

Great poem, RuthD. Thank you for bringing it to us.

Pastor Gadget