How Can I Write For A Loved One? Poem by Denis Martindale

How can I write for a loved one? Since those I love have died.
With their sweet lives on Earth now done and I felt crucified,
And mourning took my words away, such that I could not speak,
Nor think of words that I should pray when life itself looked bleak.

How can I write for a loved one? Love favours few so old.
Once gloom replaced my sense of fun, then ice replaced the gold,
And memories began to blur when faith and hope felt lost,
And feeble thoughts began to stir and made me count the cost.

How can I write for a loved one? For even puppies die.
Of all my pets, I now see none, once their short lives passed by,
When midnight dreams are all God grants, I stroke them tenderly,
And thank Him for the precious chance to learn that they loved me.

How can I write for a loved one? Since old age takes its toll.
When my worn face stares at the sun each time I take a stroll,
Yet with no girlfriend at my side, no wife to hold most dear,
No child of mine that I might guide throughout another year.

How can I write for a loved one? For no one loves me, too.
So old that now I dare not run and good times left are few,
And every bill eats me alive with much less cash to spare,
When all I do is to survive and plead with God in prayer.

And yet, in fact, I sense this truth, that I am not alone,
Like others, I have lost my youth and good friends I have known,
We stand apart from all Mankind, the lonely and ignored,
Apart from God, no friend to find, just waiting on the Lord.


Denis Martindale. February 2022.