“Death ends a life, not a relationship.” – Mitch Albom
For today’s challenge, I wrote a poem that touches on a deeply personal subject: the grief of losing a father too soon and the heartache that comes through all the “firsts” he never got to witness. From the first wedding in the family to holding a grandchild for the first time, his absence is felt profoundly in the moments that should have been shared with him. This sonnet captures the quiet sorrow of those milestones, weaving together the emotions of love, loss, and longing that accompany such life-defining experiences.
Having just immersed myself in all that I could consume and learn about sonnets yesterday, writing this was both challenging and enlightening. The sonnet’s structure, with its strict rhythm and rhyme scheme, required me to express complex emotions within a tight framework, which felt limiting at first but eventually gave the poem a deeper resonance (I believe). The challenge of balancing form with feeling was a new experience for me, and as I tried to convey the weight of those lost moments, the sonnet became a good opportunity for both reflection and release.
I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Absent in My Heart’s Most Precious Days
You left too soon, before the days began,
When life had yet to show its sweetest face.
I walked through years, now half of what we planned,
And grieved your absence in each hollowed space.
You never saw the gown, the ring, the vow,
Nor gave my hand in love’s eternal bind.
The rites were done, but how I wished somehow
Your steady grip would guide me from behind.
No first embrace of grandchildren so sweet,
No proud applause as each of us grew wise—
We drove on roads you’ll never know or meet,
Our journeys stained with tears behind our eyes.
In every joy, a shadow of your name,
And every step, a heart that feels the same.
This exploration of grief, especially through the structured beauty of a sonnet, has reminded me of how poetry can hold space for our most personal and tender emotions. As I continue to explore different poetic forms, I’m reminded of how writing helps us connect to our emotions, even the most painful ones. Each piece that I’ve written so far offers a chance to heal, reflect, and honour the memories we hold close. Though it’s my first attempt at exploring this form, I hope the poem does justice to the sorrow of losing someone dear and the longing for all the moments that could have been.
P/s: If you have any questions about creating content, writing, or the poem above, please leave a comment below or DM me on Instagram!
