You wear
wings, I wear wild.
Your soul
whispers of endings,
my spirit
cackles at the moon.
We dance
unlived dreams
real--in
them, you
never
drive your
life away
and I
scribble
no tears.
Today is the 11th anniversary of my little brother’s death. My heart is heavy with memories and music and food and laughter and tears… I’ve heard people say that grief lessens with time, but I think that’s just a well-meant lie. The shock and pain (and the way we deal with them) evolve, but the sorrow remains raw. Say his name with me today: Gregory Guerrero. He loved music (bachata and reggaetón); he loved food (rice and beans and carne guisada); he loved helping people (even when they didn’t deserve it); he got in trouble often; he laughed with his entire heart and his joy was contagious… I miss him.
photo by Tim Mossholder, on Unsplash
It doesn't get any easier with time. I still tear up when I think of my son.
ReplyDeleteTo lose a child would be an unfathomable sorrow. May his memory be a blessing.
DeleteHugs to you today, Magaly.
ReplyDeleteSome deaths you never get over. I am sorry to hear about you brother and your grief. Think of happy memories with him and laugh.
ReplyDelete((empathy hug)) Sometimes the shock wears off and then something reminds you.
ReplyDeleteEventually I had to realize that if my brother were still alive, the teenagers he and I used to be would have become even more distant memories. That I have no idea what he'd be doing by now, or what he'd look like, or whether he'd have grandchildren.
Sometimes I still cry because some total stranger died young. Not for hours, any more, and I don't feel embarrassed or even surprised, any more.
Oh DUH...that was me, Priscilla King.
DeleteSaying his name in solidarity / grief with you, dear Magaly.
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful, musical name. And, the way you describe him, no wonder you miss him! May your souls continue to dance together.
ReplyDeleteOops, that was me, Rosemary.
DeleteSorry to hear about your brother. A big hug .The poem is poignant and very beautiful
ReplyDeleteYou wear wings, I wear wild... this really is the best opening line I've read in a while. Big hug to you as you remember your brother, Gregory Guerrero... I can feel your grief in your poem.
ReplyDeleteMagaly, You are right and my heart goes out to you. The most beautiful of tributes here - so much life in this short piece. His spirit will be smiling broadly, for sure.
ReplyDeleteThe above comment from Scott...
ReplyDeleteYou honor Gregory with your thoughts. I, too, learned that we live with our loved ones who passed away every day. Sometimes they fade but they always come back, helping us to be more empathetic to others suffering loss.
ReplyDeleteLove the poetry of his name and to know about his loves. I lost two brothers in 2001. It is still such a tender trailhead.
ReplyDeleteSuch a poignant tribute. I love "he laughed with his entire heart". Grief doesn't lessen with time but it does evolve, as you so wisely say. I think it's good it does, otherwise we wouldn't be able to cope.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful tribute to your little brother.....Rall
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful and a lovely trubute to your brother. I know you still are a good sister.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry for you and family, the loss of family, especially young, hurts us for a long time. I didn't know before, do you tell of the circumstances? He sounded like a regular kid.
ReplyDelete..
A lovely tribute to your brother.
ReplyDeleteSending my good wishes.
All the best Jan
https://thelowcarbdiabetic.blogspot.com/
This is so poignant, it's really sad when you have to part with people who have a chunk of your heart..... I understand truly.....scribble no tears
ReplyDeleteThat is so sad. Hugs from afar.
ReplyDeleteYour post brought tears to my eyes. It is really difficult to handle grief. As I say no school teaches us how to accomplish this hard task
ReplyDeleteMaga, your poem and tribute to Gregory is moving, as it beautifully captures living with loss and memories of a loved one. Like you, I've come to the realisation that grief doesn't lessen with time. Instead we learn to make space for joy alongside it. *Hugs*
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss. I agree that grief does not get better with time. It may be 11 years, but to you it doesn't feel that way. People have asked how long ago my husband died, and then are dismissive that it was "sp long ago," like grief gets better with time. A beautiful poem.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful, Magaly. Grief doesn't disappear with time,
ReplyDeleteyou just keep moving on.
True, trying to forget incidents, especially heart-breaking ones will go on putting us to the real situation. A highly touching piece, Magaly.
ReplyDelete