I look at this photograph
That is you baby
Inside mummy’s tummy
Four months and growing

My hand could already feel you
Gently dancing in excitement
At the presence of my fingers
Five more months yet to grow
Smiling I planned
A baby bump photo shoot
Wanted to capture all of you
Still in my belly
Capture the glow you radiated through me
You were everything that I wanted
It was supposed to be me and you
It was meant to be our memories together
Yet everything faded away
Seven months inside mummy’s belly
My happy ending never came
So much of what I wanted
Unexplained tragedy took you away from me
This photograph is all…
Everything I have of you
Proof that you existed
Proof that you were real
Proof that you made me a mum
Should I frame it
Do I have strength to frame it
This is your photograph baby
I remember every memory of it
It is your first photograph
Mummy took it herself
Looking down at you
So blissful
Marvelous
Yet almost angelic
The thought that you grew inside me
Was perfection
Now I look at the photograph
Wishing you back
Holding the Edge of the Frame
I hold you in my heart instead
I promise
To keep this photograph forever

***

This poem is about love, memory, and the lasting significance of the few tangible reminders left behind after the loss of a child. It reflects the emotional value that objects, such as photographs, can take on when they become connections to someone who is no longer physically present.

The photograph serves as more than an image; it becomes a symbol of existence, love, and a relationship that continues despite death.

A central theme of the poem is the contrast between hope and loss. The photograph represents a time when the future seemed full of possibilities, dreams, and expectations.

Plans were being made, memories were anticipated, and a life together was imagined. The loss of the child interrupts those hopes, creating a painful divide between what was expected and what ultimately happened. The photograph becomes a reminder not only of what was, but also of what could have been.

The poem also emphasizes the importance of remembrance. In the absence of physical presence, memories and keepsakes take on a profound meaning. The photograph becomes proof of the child’s existence and a way of preserving a connection that grief cannot erase.

It symbolizes the desire to hold on to something real when so much feels lost, offering comfort while also carrying deep sadness.

Another significant aspect of the poem is the enduring bond between parent and child. Although the child is no longer alive, the relationship continues through memory, love, and remembrance. The act of looking at the photograph and choosing to keep it forever reflects a commitment to honoring that bond.

The child remains an important part of identity, history, and emotional life, regardless of the passage of time.

The poem is about preserving love in the face of loss. It highlights how photographs and memories can become treasured links to those who are gone, helping keep their presence alive in the heart. The poem suggests that while death may end a life, it does not end love, and that remembrance becomes a way of carrying that love forward.

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