Grief is there
When I wake in the morning
You are not there with me
Grief is there

When I go back to sleep
Your side of the bed is empty
Grief is there
When I hear the song I listened to
When I carried you
Grief is there
When I see a pregnant woman
Glowing with excitement
Grief is there
When I see a baby walk
For the first time
Grief is there
When I hear your name called
Someone else’s baby with that name
Grief is there
When my breast aches to feed
Your mouth that never opened
Grief is still there
When I crave a spicy food
Remembering how you loved it
Grief is there
Whenever
However
Whatever
Whichever
Everywhere
Surrounded by its grip
Overwhelmed by its hold
Burdened by its curse
Will grief let me go

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

This poem expresses how grief becomes an all-encompassing presence after the loss of a deeply loved baby. It shows that grief is not limited to moments of active sadness, but is woven into everyday life, returning repeatedly through ordinary experiences, memories, and triggers.

Morning, sleep, sounds, sights, and even food all become reminders of the absence, making grief feel constant and unavoidable.

The poem emphasizes how loss reshapes perception. Things that once felt neutral or joyful, such as songs, names, or seeing babies, become painful reminders of what is missing. This shows how grief can alter the emotional meaning of everyday life, turning familiar experiences into sources of renewed sorrow.

A significant part of the poem is the contrast between expected life milestones and absence. Encounters with pregnant women or babies reaching developmental stages highlight what could have been, deepening the sense of loss.

These moments intensify grief because they represent a future that was imagined but never realized.

The poem also reflects how physical and emotional memory continue to exist after loss. Sensations, cravings, and bodily feelings are tied to memories of pregnancy and motherhood, showing that grief is not only mental but also deeply embodied.

Even physical sensations become reminders of the child who is no longer present.

Overall, the poem presents grief as an ongoing, pervasive force that touches every aspect of life. It captures the feeling of being surrounded by loss in both obvious and subtle ways, where even the most ordinary moments can reopen emotional wounds.

It reflects the struggle of living with a grief that does not fade easily and feels like it exists everywhere, all the time.