Loss of Child Poem Collection: A Mother’s Heart Cry
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Poems for Mothers Who Have Lost a Child
The loss of a child is an indescribable sorrow, a deep wound that is felt the rest of one’s life. It makes sense. Life is a gift. It is so precious. It should be celebrated and treasured. And when life is lost, it should be mourned.
We created our Loss of Child Poem Collection because our last anthology of losing a baby poems resonated deeply with many of you, receiving an outpouring of positive feedback from our email list. It is often hard to put into words the feelings of love and sorrow, and the effort of putting these thoughts and feelings into poetry shows the value of the life lost.
In response to your heartfelt messages, we have created a new collection of poems specifically for mothers who have lost children. We read each and every email and comment. We hear your stories, and our hearts grieve with you. This is a small gift to you as you continue on your grief journey.
These poems are written to honor the unique and profound grief that comes with such a loss, to provide a space where you can feel seen, understood, and supported. Each loss of a child poem in this collection is crafted with the utmost care and empathy, drawing on the raw emotions and enduring love that a mother holds for her child.
We hope that these poems meet you where you are and gently point your heart to Jesus.
In the Shadow of Your Suffering
Our first loss of child poem, "In the Shadow of Your Suffering," is a deeply moving poem dedicated to the mother who endured the heart-wrenching experience of watching her child suffer and pass away slowly. This poem captures the profound pain and helplessness of not being able to take on your child's suffering. It also transitions into a place of solace, reflecting on God's sovereignty and the comforting hope that Jesus, who took on our suffering, provides.
In the Shadow of Your Suffering
In the quiet chambers of the night,
When all the world lies hushed in slumber deep,
I sit and ponder, with a heart contrite,
The path you tread, where shadows start to creep.
Your fragile form, so worn by cruel disease,
Each breath a whisper, each heartbeat a sigh,
I longed to hold your pain, to give you ease,
To take upon myself your every cry.
Yet powerless, I watched you fade away,
A candle flick'ring in the breath of fate,
Your days grew dimmer with each passing day,
Your spirit strained beneath a heavy weight.
Oh, how I wished to bear your cross, my child,
To shoulder all your anguish, all your fears,
To shield you from the storm, so fierce, so wild,
To catch your tears and turn them into cheers.
But in my grief, I found a sovereign hand,
A truth that whispered through my darkest night,
That God's great love, so vast, would understand,
And in His plan, your soul would find its light.
For Christ, the Man of Sorrows, bore it all,
He took our wounds, our burdens, and our shame,
He felt the sting of death, the heavy pall,
And through His pain, He healed our broken frame.
So, in the shadow of your suffering's end,
I see the dawn that breaks beyond the grave,
In God's embrace, your pain and sorrow mend,
And in His love, our weary hearts He'll save.
Though I could not, your anguish to relieve,
Or take the cup of sorrow from your lips,
I find my solace, in the truth I cleave,
That Jesus holds you in His fingertips.
And when my own tears fall like gentle rain,
I trust in Him, who walked this path of grief,
For in His sovereignty, I find again,
A hope that blooms eternal, like a leaf.
So rest, my child, in arms divine and strong,
Your suffering exchanged for endless peace,
In heaven's choir, you'll sing a joyous song,
And in God's love, our aching hearts find release.
A Prayer for Unity in Grief
Our next loss of child poem, "A Prayer for Unity in Grief," is a deeply emotional poem. It captures the struggle of a mother trying to express the sorrow in her heart while fearing the potential strain on her marriage as she and her husband grieve differently. This poem is a heartfelt prayer to the Lord, seeking wisdom on how to love her husband well and navigate their painful loss together, rather than apart.
The mother prays for the strength to support her husband and for guidance in their shared journey through grief. In the end, she finds solace in the truth that blessed are those who find help in the Lord, whose help is the Lord. This poem beautifully portrays a mother's profound grief, her fears, and her unwavering faith.
A Prayer for Unity in Grief
Lord, in the depths of sorrow’s night,
I seek Your face, Your guiding light,
My heart is heavy, frail, and worn,
In grief's cruel tempest, I am torn.
My child is gone, my joy has fled,
In silence, tears and prayers are shed,
But now another fear takes hold,
My marriage, too, begins to fold.
My husband grieves in ways unknown,
His heart's lament, a muted tone,
And as I weep, he stands apart,
Two broken vessels, one shattered heart.
Lord, teach me how to love him still,
To understand, to know Your will,
In this dark valley, show the way,
That we might face another day.
Grant me the wisdom, strength, and grace,
To see his sorrow in his face,
Though different paths our hearts may tread,
Together let our souls be led.
Help us to bear this burden shared,
To heal the wounds that grief has bared,
To clasp his hand, and walk as one,
Beneath the shadow of Your Son.
For in this pain, I seek Your peace,
Your love, which bids our sorrow cease,
Though loss has carved a hollow space,
Fill it with Your unending grace.
Blessed are those who seek Your care,
Whose hearts find solace in their prayer,
In You, we find our help, our guide,
With You, we need not fear the tide.
So hold us, Lord, in Your embrace,
Help us to see each other's face,
Not through the lens of pain and strife,
But through the love that conquers life.
Together, let us journey on,
Until the night gives way to dawn,
For in Your strength, our hope is found,
Our hearts, once lost, in You are bound.
Though grief may linger, love shall stay,
As You lead us through each day,
For blessed are those who in You rest,
Whose help is in the Lord, most blessed.
Amen.
A Mother’s Lament for Her Son
Our next loss of child poem, "A Mother’s Lament for Her Son," is dedicated to the mother who lost her older son. This poem expresses her profound gratitude for the years they shared and the cherished memories. However, these sweet memories turn painful as she grapples with the reality that his life on earth has ended. Struggling with guilt and feeling she should have seen his end coming, she yearns to respond to his goodbye letter, telling him how deeply he is loved and needed.
Overwhelmed by grief, pain, and countless questions, her body crumples into the arms of Jesus, her tears and sobs revealing the deepest kind of sorrow. This poem captures her desperate plea to Jesus for help, acknowledging the unbearable weight of her loss and the need for God’s comfort and strength.
A Mother’s Lament for Her Son
In fields where once you played and ran,
Where first you walked, my little man,
I see your footprints in the sand,
And feel the warmth of your small hand.
Your first steps wobbly, yet so brave,
The joy of learning, waves you gave,
To ride a bike, your laughter free,
Each memory, now bittersweet to me.
The mud beneath the summer rain,
You splashed and played, forgot the pain,
Catching bugs in the hot sun's glow,
Your spirit bright, your heart aglow.
We built a snowman in the yard,
And shared a bond, so true, so hard,
But now those moments turn to dust,
As grief engulfs, as memories rust.
The years we had, I'm thankful for,
Yet sorrow knocks at every door,
For now your life on earth is done,
Your journey ceased, my precious son.
I did not see your end draw near,
And guilt, it whispers in my ear,
I should have known, I should have seen,
The shadows fall where light had been.
Your goodbye letter in my hand,
A testament to dreams unplanned,
I long to tell you, one last time,
How much you're loved, my dear, sublime.
You're needed here, your laugh, your light,
Your absence turns my days to night,
So many questions, answers few,
The pain so deep, I can't construe.
In grief's embrace, I cannot stand,
I crumble, fall, in Jesus' hand,
My tears, they flow, my sobs, they break,
This heart that's more than I can take.
Oh Jesus, hear my desperate plea,
This grief, this pain, it's crushing me,
I need Your strength, Your love, Your care,
To lift this burden, bear despair.
Too hard, too much, I cannot cope,
Without Your light, without Your hope,
In sorrow's night, Your arms enfold,
And whisper peace to my soul's cold.
So, Jesus, help, my heart’s plea hear,
In this dark valley, draw me near,
In Your embrace, my strength renew,
For only You can see me through.
A Mother’s Lament for Her Daughter
Our next loss of child poem, "A Mother’s Lament for Her Daughter," is dedicated to a mother who has lost an older daughter. It reflects on the daughter's journey from a sweet girl to a cherished young woman who found beauty in simple things. The poem conveys the mother's deep regret for not being able to share her daughter's burdens and her prayer that the truths of God took root in her daughter's heart.
Amidst "what-ifs" and "if-onlys," the mother seeks God's peace and strength to trust Him through the darkest valley. This poem captures a mother’s enduring love, profound grief, and unwavering faith.
A Mother’s Lament for Her Daughter
In fields of gold where you once played,
A little girl in sunlight’s shade,
You found such joy in simple things,
Forget-me-nots and butterfly wings.
You grew to be a woman fair,
With grace and beauty, beyond compare,
My daughter, friend, my heart’s delight,
Yet shadows stole your inner light.
You saw the beauty, felt the pain,
But bore a darkness, silent strain,
I tried to be your safe retreat,
Yet a parent's heart bears burdens deep.
I wish you’d shared your sorrow’s weight,
So we could face your silent fate,
Together, strong, in love’s embrace,
And seek God’s mercy, find His grace.
For we both need Jesus, dear,
In this world fraught with doubt and fear,
The truths of God I taught to you,
I pray they held, I pray they grew.
I hope you rest in Jesus’ arms,
Safe from life’s harsh, relentless storms,
Yet here I dwell in grief’s torment,
With what-ifs, should-haves, never spent.
Oh Lord, grant peace to my torn soul,
When all I feel is sorrow’s toll,
The if-onlys that haunt my mind,
In Your embrace, let solace find.
Help me trust You in this deep night,
Where death has cast its shadowed blight,
For in this darkest valley's breath,
I seek Your light to mend her death.
Her memory's touch still lingers near,
In every cherished moment here.
And though my heart is racked with pain,
In faith and hope, we’ll meet again.
Whispers of the Broken Heart
Our next poem, "Whispers of the Broken Heart," is a poignant loss of a child poem that speaks to the mother who feels compelled to be the pillar of strength for her family, despite her own overwhelming grief. This poem delves into the conflict of needing to release deep emotions yet not knowing where to find a safe haven to do so. It portrays the internal battle of denial and the recognition that this loss is life-altering. The mother’s heartfelt prayer to Jesus, the Man of Sorrows, to teach her how to grieve well and to see the fullness of Christ's redemptive power over her loss, is a powerful testament to her faith. This poem provides a voice to those silent struggles and offers a path to healing by embracing and not minimizing the pain.
Whispers of the Broken Heart
In the quiet chambers of my soul, I dwell,
A fortress built of strength, for family’s sake,
Each day a testament to stoic grace,
Yet deep within, my heart begins to swell.
For how can I be strong when sorrow knocks,
The loss of you, my child, a constant ache,
I wear this mask, a façade of calm repose,
Yet every breath, a silent, breaking sob.
I wrestle with denial’s cruel embrace,
Pretending not to see the depth of pain,
Yet innately, I know this wound is deep,
Life altered by a void, a hollow space.
Oh Jesus, Man of Sorrows, hear my plea,
Show me the way to grieve, to let it flow,
For You, acquainted with all human grief,
Can guide me through this storm, this agony.
I long to find a place where tears can fall,
A safe haven where I can release the flood,
Forholding back the pain, it festers more,
And robs me of the healing love can call.
Teach me to mourn, to wail, to truly feel,
To not diminish what has torn my heart,
For in acknowledging the depth of loss,
I find the path to Christ’s redemptive seal.
I need to see the fullness of His power,
To understand that in my deepest pain,
There lies a promise of redemption’s light,
A hope that blooms within the darkest hour.
But this can only come if I lay bare,
The shattered pieces of my broken soul,
To minimize the pain would be to steal,
The chance for Christ to truly make me whole.
So, Jesus, guide me through this valley deep,
Let not my tears be hindered by my pride,
For in my weakness, Your strength is revealed,
And in my sorrow, Your love I’ll keep.
I am the mother who must carry on,
Yet I am also one who needs to weep,
To grieve the loss, to feel the pain within,
And find in You, my Savior, strength reborn.
In Your embrace, I’ll find my solace true,
The Man of Sorrows, well acquainted, knows,
That in this journey, grief and grace entwine,
And through my tears, Your redemptive light shows.
Twin Loss, Lasting Love
Our next loss of child poem, "Twin Loss, Lasting Love," is for the mother who lost her twins many years ago. Denied the chance to hold her babies or grieve properly, she has carried this silent pain for decades. Though she has had more children, the ache of losing her twins never diminished.
After years of suppressed grief, she realizes that true strength comes from acknowledging her pain and allowing Jesus to meet her in her deepest need. Now, she is finally taking the time to process her loss, finding both hope and healing. Though the road ahead is still long, she knows that Jesus walks this path with her, guiding her toward peace. This poem beautifully captures the journey of a mother's enduring love, profound sorrow, and the redemptive power of faith.
Twin Loss, Lasting Love
Many years have passed since that fateful day,
When my twins were taken, I could not hold,
No time to grieve, no space to cry,
A sorrow kept silent, never told.
I've had more children since, their laughter bright,
Yet nothing mends the wound of loss so deep,
The twins I lost, their memory stays,
A pain in my heart, where shadows creep.
For years I've borne this grief alone, unseen,
Suppressed the tears, believing I was strong,
But now I see the truth unfold,
Strength lies in Jesus, where I belong.
Strength is found in meeting Him in pain,
In seeing our weakness, His strength revealed,
To hide from grief is not to mend,
But in His arms, true strength is healed.
Decades have passed, and now I face the past,
I take the time to grieve, to finally weep,
This journey long, a road of tears,
Yet hope and healing begin to seep.
In Jesus' presence, I find the grace,
To mourn my loss, to feel the sorrow’s weight,
He walks with me, each step, each tear,
In His embrace, my soul's estate.
Though it’s a long road, winding and steep,
I find solace in the path I tread,
For Jesus walks this way with me,
And in His love, my heart is led.
The years of silence break with whispered prayers,
The pain I buried now begins to heal,
For strength is not in silent walls,
But in His wounds, my scars reveal.
So here I stand, with tears and open heart,
I mourn the twins I never got to know,
Yet find in Christ a hope renewed,
A strength that in His grace will grow.
My journey is not over, the road still long,
But I am not alone in grief's dark night,
For Jesus walks this path with me,
And in His care, I find the light.
The Shepherd’s Gentle Reply
Our last poem, "The Shepherd’s Gentle Reply," is a deeply moving loss of child poem that delves into the profound grief a mother feels after the unexpected loss of her child. The poem captures the anguish of not being able to hold her child or say goodbye, and the heart-wrenching questions of why God would allow such a tragedy.
Written as a conversation between the mother's heart and the Good Shepherd's heart, the poem explores the doubts and fears: Is God sovereign? Is He good? Is He wise? Is He loving? The Good Shepherd responds with paraphrased Bible verses, highlighting Jesus' love displayed on the cross and His power to give life through His resurrection. This poem is a poignant testament to the struggle and ultimate comfort found in faith, showcasing the depth of a mother's sorrow and the hope that springs from the resurrection of Christ.
The Shepherd’s Gentle Reply
Mother’s Heart:
Why, O Lord, did You this grief allow,
My child, so swiftly taken from my side,
No last embrace, no farewell shared, and now,
In sorrow’s depths, my aching heart does bide.
Is sovereign grace behind this tear-stained veil?
Is there a wisdom in this tide so wide?
Your love, they say, should never, ever fail,
Yet here I stand, a mother torn in twain,
Is this Your goodness, veiled within the pale?
Good Shepherd’s Heart:
Dear child, behold the cross, love’s purest pain,
In every stripe, My heart for you was bared,
Through death’s dark night, eternal life I gain.
Your grief I hold, in every tear you’ve shared,
For resurrection power breaks death’s chain,
In My embrace, your child is safely cared.
Mother’s Heart:
Can Your love heal this broken heart’s refrain?
My soul, so weary, doubts Your grand design,
Is there a balm for such profound disdain?
Good Shepherd’s Heart:
In every shadow, trust My love divine,
Remember how I conquered death’s domain,
In every loss, My sovereign will does shine.
Mother’s Heart:
O Shepherd, wise, my trust in You sustain,
My heart, though shattered, seeks Your gentle guide,
Is there a purpose in this crushing pain?
Good Shepherd’s Heart:
In Me, find peace, where endless love abides,
For I have walked through sorrow’s deepest night,
Your child is safe, forever by My side.
Mother’s Heart:
Though questions linger, You’re my beacon bright,
Your cross, a testament to love so wide,
In Your embrace, I find eternal light.
Good Shepherd’s Heart:
Take heart, dear one, My love is true and tried,
In resurrection, hope and life collide,
With every tear, I’m always by your side.
You Are Not Alone: Loss of Child Poem Collection
In the wake of losing a child, the grief can feel overwhelming, and words often fall short in capturing the depth of that sorrow. This collection of poems aims to offer a measure of solace to mothers navigating this profound loss. You are not alone. Spanning cultures, languages, and continents, bereaved mothers’ arms and hearts ache for their children and grapple with hard questions about God’s goodness and sovereignty and love. Each loss of a child poem within this anthology has been crafted with care, empathy, and a deep understanding of the unique pain that comes with such a tragedy. Our goal is to help you along the journey of grief to sort through the thoughts and emotions and put words the pain as well as gently point you to the hope and healing found in Jesus.
From the raw anguish of unexpected loss to the long, silent years of unprocessed grief, these poems traverse the spectrum of emotions that us mothers endure. They provide a space to acknowledge the pain, honor the memories, and seek comfort in faith. We hope that through these verses, you find a sense of connection, understanding, and above all, the assurance that you are not alone.
May these poems serve as a gentle reminder of the enduring love between a mother and her child and the hope that springs eternal through faith. Thank you for allowing us to walk alongside you in this journey, offering these words of comfort and support.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Kathy Clum
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