Compassion, Autumn 2021

Autumn 2021 - Compassion | www.tcf.org.uk 18 A Selection of Poems I Helped Myself I helped myself Wiped my own tears Put balm over fresh wounds Plastered parts of my heart that were still hurting Gave myself time Read books that soothed my soul Heard music that calmed my nerves Watched movies that made me smile Bit by bit, piece by piece I put myself back together again And gave myself a second chance Because I knew that if I didn’t no one else would. Ruby Dhal Hollow I hope you never know The hollow of my chest The emptiness within Where my Angel rests I hope you never suffer The consuming visceral pain That tears your heart to pieces Never whole again I hope you never feel That you want to fade to black Step back into obscurity Sink and not come back I hope you never wake From a dream where she’s alive To slip back into darkness When you realise….. And I hope you never sit On the front row of those pews It’s just the wrong way round Generationally confused I hope you never walk In the shoes I have to wear For these shoes are weary Each step is hard to bear I limp along in hope That we will meet again United with my Angel And shedding all my pain So thank your lucky stars That you have your angels here Hold them very close Whisper love into their ears For life is very precious And we all must make the best But I pray you never know The hollow of my chest Sam Linake, Mum of Angel Emmy x