Poems for a grandson, by Anne Dunn
November 21, 2005
Dear Brandon,
It's been a month of grief and loss and learning to go on without you; of looking back and even learning to smile again as I recall your charming ways.
Although I know that death is no obstacle to love, I will miss you until I die.
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"Death is No Obstacle"
I tried to avoid Mother's death
But it came anyway.
I never let her talk about dying
But she died anyway.
I didn't want her to leave
But she left anyway.
Eagerly I await her return.
She'll be beautiful and strong.
I'll fall into her arms.
Death is no obstacle
To her love for me
Or my love for her.
My wonderful grandson,
Brandon, was like a dream,
A dream that came true,
Then disappeared
Into a warm night.
He died suddenly,
Violently, needlessly and alone.
He'll be there when I cross over.
He'll be beautiful and strong.
I'll fall into his arms.
Death is no obstacle
To his love for me
Or my love for him.
"Tired"
(December 3, 2005)
We went to the cemetery today.
Your mother and I. In the snow
We saw tracks of someone else.
Someone who had come early
To stand over your grave.
Friendly, respectful tracks
That stood to the side
And did not trample your rest.
Why do we call death rest?
You weren't even tired, yet.
You were young and strong.
You were only seventeen.
But I'm tired today, everyday.
Tired of feeling so sad.
Tired of bone-weariness.
Tired of weeping
Over my cereal.
Tired of dreaming
Journeys we never made.
Tired of hating those
Who took your only life.
Tired of looking out
Into a shattered future.
I was supposed to visit your home,
Meet your wife, hold your babies.
You were supposed to carry me
To my grave.
Supposed to come,
Stand over my rest
As I now stand over yours.
