GRIEF Poem: The Five Trials of Atlas, by Kyle Fabijancic

Hold your son in your hands and
Watch him struggle to breathe.
Tell him you love him, but
“It’s okay, you can leave.”
Weep for lost time
As you cradle his head,
Weep, too, for his brother
Who came already dead.

One year later
Return to that room
Say goodbye to your daughter
Who danced in the womb.
Because of that energy
you named her for flames.
That one was special,
But you love all their names.

Nearly two days later
Another bundle of joy.
He fights for an hour;
He’s such a strong boy.
When passed to his mother,
He fades away fast.
Was he waiting for her?
Is that how he held fast?

No more waiting;
Now the final goodbye.
Do you even have
More tears you can cry?
The baby of babies,
Your heart in a whirl.
Her mother then whispers
“Fly high, baby girl.”

With that, she is gone,
The pain comes unfurled.
You just survived,
The end of the world.

As time passes you question,
An endless stream of whys.
Those close will support you,
Just don’t open their eyes.

On their birthdays, take time,
Bake their memory a pie.
Try not to let go