In Memory’s Garden ©Dawn Minott

On By Dawn MinottIn Poetry

29 years ago in a moment in time
Your life matrimonially linked with mine
You were my husband, you were my friend
I was by your side to the very end

A heart of gold has stopped its beating
Arms in teddy-bear like hugs no longer giving
I’m left with memories my heart will hold
That’s where you’ll stay alive in the stories to be told

Gone too soon—your life on earth, shortened
If you could but see—there are so many disheartened
A loss too much for us to bear
Signs of you are left everywhere

There is so much I’ll miss about you
All the kind and thoughtful things you do
Your dedication in extending the gift of your charm
I can still hear neighbors’ greetings: “Hello Mr Hall”

Reminiscing on the early years where we did everything together
Strolling city streets hand-in-hand, young lover
There was never something I asked you wouldn’t do
Christmas by the Rockefeller tree, and road trips, and even Disney too

Those memories make me smile and others cause me tears
It’s true, our marriage broke over the years
Through it all we remained as good friends
Through forgiveness—hurt feelings transcends

Work will not be the same without you
I will miss knowing you’re a floor below doing the work you do
I will miss so much, like hearing the sound of your voice
But move on, I must, there is no other choice

I saw your last tears and wiped your face dry
I know that you could hear me, though lifeless you lie
I shared with you the deepest treasures of my heart 
I know you passed knowing in my heart you’ll stay a part

I’ll never understand why you had to die
Taken so quickly, like in the wink of an eye
Accepting you’ve come to the setting of life
I commit you to Rest In Peace, my love, from all stress and strife

You left in the prettiest season of all
Where trees are transitioning in the beauty of fall
We’ll remember you always in the beautiful parts of your life
Preserved in memory’s garden we’ll keep you alive

In loving remembrance
Your wife, your friend to the very end

Afterword: This piece was commissioned by a wife to honor her husband after his passing. As with every commissioned work, I took time to speak with my client to understand the heart behind her story. I do this with every client because it allows me to create pieces that truly capture the essence of the message my clients wish to convey, rather than me simply weaving words together creatively.

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In creative solidarity, Dee

31 thoughts on “In Memory’s Garden ©Dawn Minott”

    1. Thank you Brad. The ones in memoriam are the hardest but I’m grateful to be let into the heart of someone in one of their most vulnerable moments. Appreciate your stopping by. Cheers to a great week ahead and the rest of Sunday being grand!!! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙂🙏🏽🙏🏽

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    1. Thank you Alethea! I always feel a big sense of responsibility when asked to transcribe someone’s story into poetic form. On occasions like this when heartbreak and sorrow is the basis, listening in sympathy and writing with empathy to honor the life lost is emotionally heavy. So I very much appreciate your feedback. Happy Sunday!!! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🌺🙏🏽🙏🏽

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