Grief: Poem

GRIEF

Grief, don’t stand near my bed tonight
I’ve had enough and more than I can bear
Last night was the worst: I could feel you
Watching me whilst silently standing there.

Now tell me, grief, are you friend or foe?
What is it about me that attracts you so?
Is it for my beauty, my wit or my fragility
That you stand there clothed in such simplicity?

You knew that yesterday was a hard day.
I had a certain difficult role to play;
Grief, as I suddenly felt you in my room
Ah! I actually felt the weight of your gloom.

Now I know that you are more than a presence;
I even think you sense my absence;
I almost think I’ll wait for you tonight:
Grief, please do step into sight.

Copyright: Rani Turton

Darkness, My Beloved: Poem

Darkness, My Beloved


Watching the night approach with silent tread
Waiting to clasp his hand.
Waiting for that compassion
That pretends not to notice faults
Of stammering, stumbling, lisping or halts.

Darkness softens, hides, transmutes
Bases qualities into gold
Moonbeams dance on rooftops; it may be
Soon I those rays of light could hold.
But words enter unbidden into my mind

.
Like in a tranced love, this liason with you
This dark and unseemly pact I have,
When I can leave all my errors behind.


Did you know that you, the dark,
This warm enveloping darkness, my beloved
Is what I wait for everyday?
Soft lamps, verse, the murmurs and
Rituals that only the sombre can understand;
Now draw the curtain, and hasten:
Come, my beloved, hold my hand.

Copyright (Image and text): Rani Turton

Grief: Poem

GRIEF Grief, don't stand near my bed tonight I've had enough and more than I can bear Last night was the worst: I could feel you Watching me whilst silently standing there. Now tell me, grief, are you friend or foe? What is it about me that attracts you so? Is it for my beauty, my wit or my fragility That you stand there clothed in such simplicity? You knew that yesterday was a hard day. I had a certain difficult role to play; Grief, as I suddenly felt you in my room Ah! I actually felt the weight of your gloom. Now I know that you are more than a presence; I even think you sense my absence; I almost think I'll wait for you tonight: Grief, please do step into sight. Copyright: Rani Turton