Rooted and Gentle Sadness

On the shore of Mooselookmeguntic Lake, Maine - looking out toward Student's Island (one of our most favorite places)

Long weekend are sometimes ... well, long. This in no way negates yesterday's poem. It's just part of the whole truth, I guess.

Rooted and Gentle Sadness

Here I am,
all these years since you died on
that heart wrenching spring day,
and I miss you.
Though the ache is less potent,
I have a rooted and gentle sadness.
I’m so grateful that our lives came together
by the shores of Saddleback Lake,
that you had the patience to wait
for me to understand how
to accept your unconditional love.
I wish you could be standing with me,
hand in hand,
to witness our beautiful children
further widen into their lives
with passions to follow
and loves of their own.
 Sometimes I wonder if you
would know me now,
would love this rather different me.
And then I smile with the knowledge
that you knew all of me the whole time.
I do believe in the sensations of your presence,
in the radiance of change,
and in all the other understandings I’ve gleaned
through years of exploring
within and without.
But sometimes I just want your arms around me,
to feel the physical connection of your love,
to be together in the here and now.
This rooted and gentle sadness
is not wrong for me to feel.
I haven’t failed at grieving.
It’s just part of my shadows

 and, in truth,
enhances my light.

Sarah Carlson

October 10, 2016