Poems about grief

[GL friend]

Hello, I thought I would add one of my favourite poems.

The Window by Rumi

Your body is away from me
but there is a window open
from my heart to yours.
From this window, like the moon
I keep sending news secretly.

For me this poem is about continuing to feel connected to my mum who passed away in 2014 at just 48 years of age. Even though she is gone, she knows how Im going and all that goes on in my life because of the window thats open between our hearts. She is well and safe now. I know this in my heart.

Topic

[VM-angel33]

Here is a poem about grief I found

3. On the Death of the Beloved by John O’Donohue
Though we need to weep your loss,
You dwell in that safe place in our hearts,
Where no storm or night or pain can reach you.

Your love was like the dawn
Brightening over our lives
Awakening beneath the dark
A further adventure of colour.

The sound of your voice
Found for us
A new music
That brightened everything.

Whatever you enfolded in your gaze
Quickened in the joy of its being;
You placed smiles like flowers
On the altar of the heart.
Your mind always sparkled
With wonder at things.

Though your days here were brief,
Your spirit was live, awake, complete.

We look towards each other no longer
From the old distance of our names;
Now you dwell inside the rhythm of breath,
As close to us as we are to ourselves.

Though we cannot see you with outward eyes,
We know our soul’s gaze is upon your face,
Smiling back at us from within everything
To which we bring our best refinement.

Let us not look for you only in memory,
Where we would grow lonely without you.
You would want us to find you in presence,
Beside us when beauty brightens,
When kindness glows
And music echoes eternal tones.

When orchids brighten the earth,
Darkest winter has turned to spring;
May this dark grief flower with hope
In every heart that loves you.

May you continue to inspire us:

To enter each day with a generous heart.
To serve the call of courage and love
Until we see your beautiful face again
In that land where there is no more separation,
Where all tears will be wiped from our mind,
And where we will never lose you again.

[jc8rw8]

I thought I’ll share part of a poem by Mary Oliver, a poet whom I recently rediscovered while processing my grief.

It’s called Starlings in Winter and the excerpt goes like this:

Ah, world, what lessons you prepare for us,

even in the leafless winter,

even in the ashy city.

I am thinking now

of grief, and of getting past it;

I feel my boots

trying to leave the ground,

I feel my heart

pumping hard. I want

to think again of dangerous and noble things.

I want to be light and frolicsome.

I want to be improbable beautiful and afraid of nothing,

as though I had wings.

I think the poem reminds me to fight for the things to look forward to even when it feels like the grief is overwhelming.

I also appreciate all the other poems shared so far, I have felt very comforted by them.

[haileywilson]

Grief is a deeply personal journey, and sometimes it’s hard to express what we feel in our own words. That’s where poetry can make a difference. Poems about grief often capture emotions like loss, longing, and healing in a way that feels relatable and comforting. Whether it’s classic poetry or modern verses, reading these pieces can help people process their feelings and feel less alone.

In this thread, let’s share meaningful poems, favorite lines, or even original pieces that helped you cope with loss. Also, if you’re writing or sharing poetry professionally, presenting it thoughtfully matters—just like using a professional email signature when connecting with others online.

Looking forward to reading your recommendations and experiences.

[VM-angel33]

Hi

I’m so glad to hear that these have been helpful 🙂
The forum is a great place to share resources which have helped you.
If you are wanting grief support though, please feel free to reach out via our helpline.

[VM-Serenity66]

WE THINGS OF FLESH AND BLOOD

We things of flesh and blood,
We creatures of the present time,
Mourning what is gone,
And quaking for what might be.
Tearing ourselves on nails of yearning,
Wishfully driven to hold the past in place.
Little by little learning,
To linger lightly in memory,
To hold in open hands the things we love,
Knowing we, as they, must pass.

[carly83]

WOW. !!! These poems really hit home. They have touched my heart. ♥️
I’m new here. I’ve just joined. I’m looking for a grief support group, online, and this is where I’ve been directed. Am I in the right place?

[VM-Moonlight]

Dear all,

These poems are so beautiful and helpful in communicating the depths of grief.

Thank you so much for sharing them. I also like this one by Chaplin Robert Orr from the Kindred Hospice:

“Grief is the last act of love we give to our loved one.
Where there is deep grief there is great love. Grief is a great rite of
passage, it is a hero’s journey of courage, of sacred battles, sorrow,
love, joy and loss.
Through the darkness of grief we can see the light of love which
transcends death. And with the pain can come gratitude for the gift of
time we had, the love that was shared and the power to become a
better person because they loved us.”

[VM-Apples23]

Hi @abner

I’m glad to hear that you have enjoyed the poems shared. There is a great power in poetry and storytelling. Please feel free to share some of your own grief and loss writings here in the forums. I’m sure it would be a lovely way to connect with others, like minded in their transformative grief journeys. There is so muc to learn from challenging times.

Thanks for your message,
Apples.

[abner]

Hello all, I love the poems, I relate to them all, especially the Rumi and the John Roedel ones. I’d like to write poetry and music about my own experience of grief and loss, as well as gains I’ve made in adversity, and I’ve made some of those too i.e. I’ve learnt to stand up for myself, and to own my emotions and my rights to them.

[VM-Serenity66]

@VM-Zelaris_20, that is a lovely poem. It speaks to me about the healing aspect of grieving, the stitching back together and accommodating what has changed form. It reminds me of Kintsugi (golden joinery), the Japanese method of repairing broken pottery with conspicuous gold seams. The repairs become what you celebrate, rather than what you try to hide. May you all find comfort.

[Author]

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