You Were for Us Not only Love, but Bread

May 27, 2020

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week is grief in honor of those who have died of Covid-19 and of Memorial Day, which is celebrated in the U.S. on May 25^th.

I welcome comments on my poems at https://nicholasgordon.blogspot.com .

A poem about what happens to grief when the deceased loved one was the only breadwinner of the family:

You were for us not only love, but bread,

Our source of sustenance as well as joy.

Now not grief but hunger mourns the dead.

We must content ourselves with what we beg,

The bitter gifts no kindness can alloy.

You were for us not only love, but bread.

We miss you, but our hearts have turned to lead.

We cannot one sweet pang of pain enjoy.

Now not grief but hunger mourns the dead.

Nor have we any tears that we might shed

For you, nor thoughts that might grief buoy.

You were for us not only love, but bread,

And so there are no dreams of you in bed,

Nor memories with which my mind might toy.

Now not grief but hunger mourns the dead.

No room, no room, but emptiness instead,

A need that does all other need destroy.

You were for us not only love, but bread.

Now not grief but hunger mourns the dead.

© by Nicholas Gordon

If you enjoyed this poem, please like, comment on, or share it so that it might be seen and enjoyed by others. To see this poem on my site, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/youwe2.html. For more poems about death, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/deathpoems.html .

This week’s theme: Grief

May 25: Early On, There’s a Point to Regret

May 26: Matthew Is Gone and Will Never Be Back

May 27: You Were for Us Not Only Love, but Bread