Writing and reading about grief are routes travelled by many bereaved people. We read what others have written and we often write about our own innermost feelings, sometimes just for ourselves and sometimes for others to share. We write journals, letters, poems, incoherent thoughts and detailed descriptions, maybe the story of our child's life and death - all parts of our own individual grief journey
Grief writing seems to fall into two patterns. At first we write for ourselves, speaking intensely and powerfully from the heart and our anguished emotions. As time passes we often find we write from a calmer standpoint, perhaps offering explanations, hope and encouragement to others.
Unfortunately, Poetry Corner has been an open site, visible to all, and certain people have taken advantage of this and have invaded the privacy of genuine users, causing anxiety and hurt. For this reason, the trustees of TCF decided that Poetry Corner should be transferred to TCF Forum which is a more secure site.
Postings prior to 30th June 2007 are available below in "read only" format.
THE SHARING OF GRIEF
I cannot carry this burden alone, the road is too steep and the pain too great.
I shall only get to the top of the hill if I am able to lean on a firm shoulder
whose strength lies in the reality of the feet which bear its weight.
The sharing of grief is the only solution to the crisis that surrounds
bereavement in our age.
To share a person's sorrow is to accept their reality and to acknowledge
the fact that none of us is immune from death.
Rev Dr Simon Stephens, Founder of The Compassionate Friends