Spot on. Pain of loss is a process that lasts forever. Especially the loss of a child.

You are the champion of loss, having lived through all of those divorces, sapping your lifeblood every time. But this poem reflects more your recent loss. At least you can dream and remember how it was as you describe her light in your life that is now starting to dim with time.

But, oh how wonderful to have experienced all of those wins before the losses, those heady times of love unconditional, until it was. Hold onto your dreams for they are your remembrances of the good times past. You were never Scrooge, so your remembrances at this time of year are so much better.

Ron

Dang! This hits like a homerun straight into my heart and soul. Yes!
And of course healing is a journey that goes on for the rest of the life that is given us. As we heal we grow in strength and bend with the storm like the willow.

This arrives to me as both infusive and elusive. Each stanza presents a concept of its own, even as they collaborate into a wholeness. Your title serves as a foundation for the progression of this piece. Lines 4 and 5 feel arresting in describing the dilemma of steel machine tonnage vs. soothing flowing water. Stanza 2 — sadness, Stanza 3 — unconditional love, Stanza 4 — safety and comfort, Stanza 5 — struggle, Stanza 6 — wisdom (my favorite stanza, and those last two lines worthy of a tattoo), Stanza 7 — reality . . with the hint of hope being “At the moment.” This poem could be an entire stage play. Bravo! ~~ djl