Don’t Ask
Don’t ask me how I’m doing
I just buried my baby, my child, my son.
Don’t ask me how I’m doing
Wondering what my world may become.
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Don’t ask me how I’m doing
My emotions run deep to the core.
Don’t ask me how I’m doing
I feel I can’t take it anymore.
When asking how I’m doing
Do you REALLY want to know?
Well imagine yourself in my shoes
If it was your son who had to go.
When asking how I’m doing
What do you expect me to say?
My heart is broken, mind distorted…
Me telling you could take all day.
The question “How are you doing?”
Has become so cliché.
We do it out of habit
Expecting a fine, alright, okay.
However, what if by chance,
I told you my life story.
About the child I loved, cherished and carried for 8 months…
About how he’s gone to glory.
What if I really took the time
To tell you my thoughts, dreams and fears.
Would you really have the time
To try to comfort me through my tears.
Don’t ask me how I’m doing
Please think of something else to say.
If you indeed REALLY want to be there for me
You’ll decide on another way.
Don’t ask me how I’m doing
The truth is, I’m not sure
I can’t see past the pain right now
But somehow I will endure.
***
This poem is an excerpt from Coretta H. Collins’ newly released book, Mine For a Time, written in memory of her beautiful baby boy, Walter Eron Collins.
Available now at Amazon and the author’s website.
From the author: “This book is a collection of poems and narratives for people who have been impacted by pregnancy loss or early infant loss including miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, and stillbirth. It is for you, the parent grieving through your loss experience. It is for you, the mother, father, sister, brother, cousin or friend of the grieving parents. It is for anyone who would like to better understand what a person suffering from pregnancy and early infant loss is going through in order to provide substantial and positive support.
***This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase using these links, you also support PALS without it costing anything extra for you — a total win-win!***
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