*a poem by Donna Ashworth, posted here for many reasons, not the least of which is that I find condolences letters and cards to be the single hardest things to write. The inadequacy of words, the fear of being or seeming at all insensitive, or sounding rote, or even slightly callous, or unconcerned at a time of suffering and pain, is real…I am also, truth be told, feeling sad and upset at the death – the murder – of Alexei Navalny in Russia. I was an admirer of his, of his incredible bravery in, returning to Russia after being poisoned by Putin’s regime and nearly dying. He was only forty-seven, and a hero of democracy, and of resistance to authoritarian power. One of his quotes I love (and will paraphrase here) is that Putin doesn’t have to convince you that the opposition (Navlany) is corrupt, he just has to convince you that everyone is, and therefore, why not support the corrupt devil you know? May he RIP, and may his memory be a blessing.He leaves a wife and two children.
When I say sorry for your loss
it may sound perfunctory
trite even
but what I mean is
I am so sorry
that you wake in the night
gasping for breath
heart racing in agony.
I am sorry
that you will know a lifetime
of what ifs and
could have beens.
I am sorry
that you ache
for one more minute with your love
knowing it can never be.
When I say sorry for your loss
please know
my soul is reaching out to yours
in understanding
and trying very hard
to take away
just one little ounce of your pain.