Here’s another poem from the Portrait Poetry Series.
For those who haven’t read form this series in the past, here’s an explanation:
I love writing prompts – whether a list of words, one word, or even an image. With these posts, I have written poems specifically about paintings and I hope, with my words, you see the scene just as visibly with your heart and mind as if you had seen the image itself.
I hope you enjoy this one!

Not Knowing, Is Killing Me
This morning,
she woke up crying
He laid next to her in bed
held her close
and allowed her
to express her sorrow.
Sometimes
all we choose to do
is hide our fears
disguise our pain
but he knew she needed
to learn to let go
to trust
to know –
that sometimes, we just
have no choice
but to breathe
even when it is difficult
to cry
even though the torment
in your chest
is tearing you apart
for you have no choice.
Last year,
at the hospital –
she learned she had
an incurable disease
and each day forward
is one they told her
would not be possible
but it tears you down daily
the constant worry
will this be it?
will this be the last day
I hold my husband close?
the last day
I hold my child’s hand
as she learns to walk
and what comes after?
Will I be remembered
or will I slowly fade
from their everyday vocabulary?
Will I even be missed?
and she knows that letting go
is not getting any easier
as each day passes.
What should be celebrated,
each and every day
past her declared demise,
instead haunts her…
if not now,
then when?
© Sumyanna 2017
This was beautifully written! It reminds me of my boyfriend’s brother-in-law who was just diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer… I am at such a loss as what to say to him and his wife. They have three adorable grandchildren that are going to miss him so much, not to mention his kids and step kids. Such a tender moment you captured in this poem.
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Sorry to hear about that. It has to be incredibly hard for everyone involved. Such a sad situation.
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Thank you for sharing this. Four years ago today my dad passed away. It was relatively quick and relatively painless. He was several thousand km away but we got 5o talk with him on the phone, let him know he is loved. He is remembered by All who loved him.
Hugs,
M&M
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So sorry to hear of your loss. I think I have always had a different perspective because my family has not really been loving from the start. When someone comes into my life that when they are gone, they are truly missed – I feel that it is such a blessing to have had them in my life for however long they have been there. I feel this is the main gift we can leave behind. He must have been an amazing man and a wonderful father. He is blessed that he left behind a son that still remembers.
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