before/after - the story

The loss of a child is a parents worst nightmare, whether it be from a long illness, or a an abrupt  unexpected passing.

​

Those who have never experienced it, will never really understand or comprehend the absolute devastation of selecting coffins and memorials for the child that you bore and watched turn into their own little person. The loss of that life and the possibilities of their future, and the massive black yawning pit of despair that you hold within yourself for the rest of your days.

​

This book of poetry explores this loss. It is in three parts:

​

Before

poems about Kayleigh herself, her personality, her self, her place in the world and in our family

​

Between

This section starts from the moment she passed until the end of the funeral - the between where you can't comprehend that they are gone and you drag yourself through the motions.

​

After

from after the funeral has finished and thereon. This is an exploration of the seven stages of grief, trying to find meaning in your world again, searching for a reason to smile, anger. And even other peoples stupidity and frankly insulting and unsympathetic responses to your loss.

​

If you have lost someone, this book may resonate with you. Or if someone you know has experienced this, it may give insight to their world,