WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR

                By:Paula Porter

 

People say I’m handling it well,

            Coping,

            adjusting

But they don’t know I go to sleep every night

            hugging a pillow

            pretending it’s you

            and praying not to wake up

            another morning alone.

People want to know how I’m doing

            making a new life…

            going on…

I give a sad smile and say

            “It’s rough.”

            “thanks for asking.”

            “I’m managing.”

Words they wont to hear.

People comment on how strong and brave I’ve been

            through it all…

            your Sickness, (1)

            your fight for life,

            your death.

But they can’t understand that

            my strength

            and bravery

            and hopes

            were buried

                        with you…

 

When a Lifemate Dies.   page 94 Fairview press

          Heinlein / Brumett / Tibbals

(1) originally ” cancer”