Sometimes, when I’m struggling, I write a nonsense poem, or reblog one. It’s a way of cheering up others and myself at the same time. But sometimes, late at night, I give in to the ravages of pain or loss. I’ve just come through a time of mourning the deaths of people I love. Not ‘loved’, but love. So I will part the curtains and share this late-night rant with you, just this once. I hope it doesn’t offend your sensibilities:
~~
Damn you, death
Who sent for you?
My friend’s last breath
Was not yet due.
~~
What awful power
Gave you the right
To set the hour
Of life’s last light?
~~
You watch and wait
Outside the door
You call it fate
You grim old whore
~~
You reap the lives
Of young and brave
While evil thrives
Outside the grave
~~
Once more you snatch
One who loves life
And tends his patch
With little strife.
~~
Oh damn you, death
Who called for you
To steal life’s breath
From one so true?
~~
Cynthia Reyes 
I will always listen to your rants, Cynthia. Pain and loss are two things one should never bottle up and carry alone. I am sorry for your losses, and feel them with you. Sending you healing thoughts and the promise and renewal of the spring season.
Poignant and honest poetry, plus it rhymes! Thanks for sharing your tender heart Cynthia. I’m sorry for your losses. Hugs and prayers.
So terrible to lose loved ones—friends or family—when they die. I know just how you feel.
Heartfelt Cynthia and beautifully written…nothing like expression to help us all at times like these. XO
So sorry for your grieving, Cynthia. There are no two ways about it – it’s very tough.
Rant away, Cynthia. There are times when the rage consumes us and we must rant or explode. Love and hugs.
Cynthia, you’ve named death well. I abhor its unexpected and undeserved curses on those too young and/or too nice to leave this life—and leave us. Hugs ~ Wendy ❤
One must release the anger and rant away at Death! Well done and thanks for sharing. Sorry for your loss. May your morning be brighter.
Cynthia
Sorry for your pain and loss. I can truly say I know what you are going through. I lost my husband of 53 years on Dec. 22. Your rant said what is in my heart as his death was preventable. It was asbestos related cancer. My rant is against the companies that knew asbestos caused cancer but continued to use it in their products. It is tough but I am moving forward and looking to brighter days ahead.
How blessed we are to know that writing can help us through the pain of death. Thank you for sharing with us, Cynthia. My prayers are with you.
This poem is a keeper. There are so often times when what it says is exactly how I’ve felt. It will be something to refer to. So sorry that that “grim old whore” has visited someone else that you love.
I get it and agree, the poem expresses the loss of someone before it is really fair and I get it, have felt the same way (watching my best friend die of colon cancer) this poem is a keeper. Thank you.
I think whatever it takes to get through the grief is what we need to do. The last time I went through it I sat and cried for three days. Writing is more productive.
Ranting relieves the pressure but it also helps with processing. Sometimes you pull something deep out in a poem. Keep at it. You’re living with a hole and that’s not easy.
Dear Cynthia,Thank you for putting into words my exact feelings about those I’ve had to say goodbye to much too soon. My head knows that their mission on this earth was complete, but my heart is reluctant to accept and understand this. I live and thrive on the memories of their goodness, and the eternal gifts they have left me. They know they are much loved and missed!
Cynthia, it is lovely to read “people I love.” Our loving never stops, and we never stop feeling the love which was given to us by family and friends. 🙂
Oh, no–I’m so sorry for what you’re dealing with! You name it so well and your anger and pain are so authentic. Rant on–I hope it helps.
Never easy to say, “Farewell”.
Oscar
Sending hugs for comfort; sometimes words are not enough.
Yes, love is present tense, whether those who are gone are present in bodily form or not.
Cynthia, I know the feeling. I am so sorry for your loss.
You are in my thoughts and heart. Jeanne
Oh Cynthia, how love hurts, and there is no way round grief only walking painfully through it. Just keep holding hands with everyone around you.
I am so sorry you have lost those you love and that you are mourning. Your poem is wonderful – you express those angry, unhappy emotions with such forceful, punching phrases. You are in my prayers as ever, my dear Cynthia.
I’m sorry for your loss Cynthia, sometimes the only thing to do is rant and rail about what seems to be the injustice of the world.
So sorry for your losses. This is worded so perfectly expressing the anger we all feel after the loss of someone close to us. I’m glad you put words to my thoughts which I’ve never been able to do!
Oh Cynthia I’m so sorry .. much love to you