(My) Night-Long Lament
written by: Michelle Ayon Navajas
in the silence of the night, i secretly weep
my heart’s heavy with sorrow, my spirit’s deep
for in my womb, a precious life now sleeps
a dream shattered, a promise left to keep
i recall the joy, the anticipation so bright
the flutter of life inside, a beacon of light
but now all that remains is a bitter respite
as i mourn the loss of a future so tight
the nursery once prepared with love and care
now stands empty, a cruel and haunting stare
the tiny clothes and toys, a painful reminder
of the child i will never hold, never find her
words of comfort fall flat
for no one can fathom the depth of my combat
the emptiness that fills my every breath
the ache that lingers, stings like death
but in the darkness, a flicker of hope
a light that shines through the endless slope
for i know that though she’s gone
my love will endure, forever strong
i whisper to the wind, a lullaby so sweet
a song of love, of memories to keep
and in my heart, i hold her tight
a bond unbroken, a shining light.
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR:
Miscarriage is the sudden loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week. About 10% to 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage. But the actual number is likely higher. This is because many miscarriages happen early on before people realize they’re pregnant. As we celebrate Mother’s Day, let us also celebrate the resilience and bravery of all the mothers who lost their child by miscarriage. Motherhood is always something most women (if not all) look forward to in life, unfortunately for some, this seemed to be an elusive dream.
- The Haunting of the Acacia Tree - November 1, 2024
- Resilience - September 10, 2024
- Drowning - July 25, 2024