I never got to give you your name
I never got to call your name
I never got to hear your name called
Your name is what I am left with

A name that had such great meaning
The name of a warrior
The name of a Prince
The name of my boy
Your name meant so much to me
A name I knew
You would be proud of
A name I knew
You would love
My little batman
That was your play name
Because you were my hero
You saved me
You built me
You loved me
You made me glow
You held me together
You danced for me, in my belly
Made me stronger than I knew I was
Now your name sits
In the deep wounded places of my heart
Places I dare not venture
Or peek into
Lest I never come back from
My heart
Has such deep wounded places
Perforated with memories I never had
Drowned in moments I wish I had
With you
Trying to squint at the sun in the morning
When all I can see are darkened clouds
On a hurricane prone night
Your name lingers on
Hanging between my sanity and brevity
Telling me I need to heal
Help me heal these deep wounded places in my broken heart
Baby your name is all I have left

If this resonated with you, you are not alone. Grief can feel isolating, but your story matters. If you feel comfortable, I invite you to share your journey, whether through a few words, a poem, or a personal experience. Your voice could be the comfort someone else is searching for.  Leave a comment below, or,

You can share your stories through griefpoetry@gmail.com

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This poem is about the enduring grief of losing a child and the significance of a name as one of the few remaining connections to that child. It reflects on the heartbreak of never getting the chance to speak the child’s name in everyday life, hear others call it, or watch the child grow into it.

The name becomes more than a word, it becomes a symbol of love, hope, identity, and all the dreams that were attached to the child’s future. In the absence of shared memories and experiences, the name remains as a precious reminder of a life that was deeply cherished.

The poem also explores how loss creates emotional wounds that feel impossible to fully heal. The child is remembered as a source of strength, joy, and transformation. References to being saved, loved, strengthened, and made to glow reveal how profoundly the child affected life even before birth.

The playful nickname “my little batman” highlights the deep affection and bond that existed. Because of this connection, the grief is not only about losing the child but also about losing the future moments that were imagined, moments that now exist only as dreams and possibilities rather than memories.

At its heart, the poem examines how grief lives in the hidden places of the heart. The “deep wounded places” symbolize emotional spaces filled with love, longing, and unanswered hopes.

These wounds are made even more painful by memories that were never created and experiences that never had the chance to happen. The child’s name remains suspended between sorrow and healing, serving as both a reminder of loss and a testament to enduring love.

Ultimately, the poem expresses the struggle of carrying grief while holding tightly to the one thing that cannot be taken away, the memory and meaning of a beloved child’s name.