Rate:5.0 / 5 votes

For Lindsay

Paul E Wells 1951 (Windsor)

February 24 
If tears could heal a broken heart,
I’d weep all night for you.
If dreams could bring you back again,
I’d sleep my whole life through.
If memories could restore our bond,
I’d not forget you ever.
If pain could lead to Heaven’s gate,
With joy I’d hurt forever.
If silence touched you with my love,
I’d wait in perfect peace.
If words were angels over you,
My prayers would never cease.
If death could ease its dreadful grip
Enough to say good-bye,
I’d hold you close my sleeping child
Until the day I die!

About this poem

I wrote this poem in memory of my daughter, Lindsay, in the days after she passed away.

Font size:
Collection  PDF     
 

Written on September 08, 2016

Submitted by paulw.71370 on February 21, 2024

32 sec read
545

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABCBDEFEGHBHIJKJ
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 520
Words 108
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 16
Full analysis for For Lindsay »

Paul E Wells

I am a former touring full-time musician in the secular music industry. In recent decades, I have served as Music Director/liturgical musician in Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Presbyterian parishes. I write hymns, religious songs, secular songs, and compose classical music, primarily for piano. My formal education is in social service work. more…

All Paul E Wells poems | Paul E Wells Books

7 fans

Discuss the poem For Lindsay with the community...

13 Comments
  • Damelia
    Damelia
    This is beyond beautiful. Sad where the inspiration came from, but it's our experiences the truest and deepest connections that bring forth our best artistic pieces
    LikeReply1 month ago
    • paulw.71370
      paulw.71370
      Thank you for your kind words. You are correct that our creative impulses are best channeled through our life experiences regardless of how hurtful they may be.
      LikeReply 11 month ago
  • ladythepoet21490
    ladythepoet21490
    This is a beautiful piece and sad to learn of the tragedy that inspired it. I'm sorry to hear. I hope you find comfort, and also if it helps, in knowing that our loved ones never truly leave us. they are with us in every step we take, every breath and every memory we share. They shared a part of life with us and though they might be far, they're never truly gone. 
    LikeReply1 month ago
    • paulw.71370
      paulw.71370
      Thank you for your condolences. You are correct in saying our loved ones who have passed on remain with us in some way.
      LikeReply1 month ago
  • ashupraj87
    ashupraj87
    Really ! Reading this one is something that could make you remember your lost one. Well deserved first place. Learnt a lot too.
    LikeReply1 month ago
    • paulw.71370
      paulw.71370
      Thank you. I'm glad the poem was meaningful for you.
      LikeReply1 month ago
  • Philipo
    Philipo
    Congrats. Touching one.
    LikeReply1 month ago
  • DougHaberman
    DougHaberman
    Beautiful and heartfelt and so full of love.
    LikeReply1 month ago
    • paulw.71370
      paulw.71370
      Thank you for your comment. It is much appreciated!
      LikeReply1 month ago
  • npirandy
    npirandy
    That it did indeed.
    LikeReply 21 month ago
  • sengacaldwell
    sengacaldwell
    A very well deserved win. This is a beautifully poignant piece, it took my breath away when I read the last lines.
    LikeReply 21 month ago
    • paulw.71370
      paulw.71370
      Thank you for your kind words. It was truly and unexpected honour to have my poem selected for this month's 1st prize!
      LikeReply 21 month ago
  • npirandy
    npirandy
    When I feel your pain, you've made your point. This has perfect flow and rhyme. The sadness shines through. It is a beautiful tribute fittingly for a painful loss.
    LikeReply 21 month ago
    • paulw.71370
      paulw.71370
      Thank you for your kind words of support. I'm pleased the poem was able to resonate with you emotionally.
      LikeReply 21 month ago
  • Symmetry60
    Symmetry60
    Beautifully written with perfect cadence and flow. I am sorry for your loss, Paul. Congratulations on the win.
    LikeReply 21 month ago
    • paulw.71370
      paulw.71370
      Thank you for your congratulations and condolences. I'm still in a bit of shock over wining 1st prize. I was thinking a mug....maybe.
      LikeReply 21 month ago
  • Vixility
    Vixility
    Tenderly eloquent and sincere, I could feel the longing anguish of the writer. Beautiful metrical cadence, lovely use of language, and a wonderful, wonderful tribute poem for Lindsay … I hope this poem wins. 
    LikeReply 21 month ago
    • paulw.71370
      paulw.71370
      Thank you for your valued feedback, kind words, and well wishes. Your insights made my day and warmed my heart. .
      LikeReply 11 month ago
  • DeBoer
    DeBoer
    Everything is perfect. Rhyme, rhytm, form and motif. Well balanced, concise and engaging.
    LikeReply 21 month ago
    • paulw.71370
      paulw.71370
      Thank you for your insightful comments. It's an honour to be appreciated by other poets like yourself.
      LikeReply 21 month ago
  • Ruthmahogany
    Ruthmahogany
    The poem nicely relates the story of grief and it resonates deeply. I will go any mile to save a loved one if I can, words cannot say. But oh well, this poem did.
    LikeReply 21 month ago
    • paulw.71370
      paulw.71370
      I'm glad my poem was able to speak to you at an emotional level. Grief is something we all esperience at some point in our lives and it's so difficult to put into words. Thank you for your comment. . 
      LikeReply 21 month ago
  • maryamaribi
    maryamaribi
    It holds a lot of meaning to it. it reflects the reality and I was able to feel both the pain and the joy of the writer.
    LikeReply 21 month ago
    • paulw.71370
      paulw.71370
      Thank you for your insight. On the surface, it seems paradoxical how pain and joy can sometimes go hand in hand.
      LikeReply 21 month ago

Translation

Find a translation for this poem in other languages:

Select another language:

  • - Select -
  • 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified)
  • 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional)
  • Español (Spanish)
  • Esperanto (Esperanto)
  • 日本語 (Japanese)
  • Português (Portuguese)
  • Deutsch (German)
  • العربية (Arabic)
  • Français (French)
  • Русский (Russian)
  • ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada)
  • 한국어 (Korean)
  • עברית (Hebrew)
  • Gaeilge (Irish)
  • Українська (Ukrainian)
  • اردو (Urdu)
  • Magyar (Hungarian)
  • मानक हिन्दी (Hindi)
  • Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Italiano (Italian)
  • தமிழ் (Tamil)
  • Türkçe (Turkish)
  • తెలుగు (Telugu)
  • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
  • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
  • Čeština (Czech)
  • Polski (Polish)
  • Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Românește (Romanian)
  • Nederlands (Dutch)
  • Ελληνικά (Greek)
  • Latinum (Latin)
  • Svenska (Swedish)
  • Dansk (Danish)
  • Suomi (Finnish)
  • فارسی (Persian)
  • ייִדיש (Yiddish)
  • հայերեն (Armenian)
  • Norsk (Norwegian)
  • English (English)

Citation

Use the citation below to add this poem to your bibliography:

Style:MLAChicagoAPA

"For Lindsay" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/182713/for-lindsay>.

Powered by CITE.ME Cite.Me

Become a member!

Join our community of poets and poetry lovers to share your work and offer feedback and encouragement to writers all over the world!

More poems by

Paul E Wells

»

April 2024

Poetry Contest

Join our monthly contest for an opportunity to win cash prizes and attain global acclaim for your talent.
3
days
10
hours
49
minutes
126 entries submitted — 24 remaining

Special Program

Earn Rewards!

Unlock exciting rewards such as a free mug and free contest pass by commenting on fellow members' poems today!

Our awesome collection of

Promoted Poems

»

Browse Poetry.com

#ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Quiz

Are you a poetry master?

»
How may lines and syllables are in a Japanese Waka poem?
A 50 syllables in 7 lines
B 15 syllables in 7 lines
C 30 syllables in every other line
D 31 syllables in five lines