Fairy of Sorrows

 

J.D. Crawford,  October 2013

 

 

She named you “Fairy of Sorrows”

of which she thought you brought her.

But to me,

you brought nothing of the sort.

 

You cried and kept quiet, because

you knew she knew better.

You loved your father,

who she couldn't remember knowing.

 

He smiled and grit his teeth, because

he had faith in you.

It was the same faith

you had for me.

 

The dances, the money and the pain

you thought was all in vein.

It was for her, for the child she forgot the name of

but not for the one that lived.

 

How many times have you waited

until I fell asleep to cry?

How many smiles did I miss

from not seeing in me what you did?

 

You taught me how to survive the war,

gave me what I needed to stand my ground.

I didn't know until now,

that I gave you just the same.

 

Drowning in your own blood,

choking back your own tears,

fighting the demons you cared for,

raising your grandchild 'til the last day.

 

I will never forget what you did,

for I still remember your last words.

My smiles are yours

for my kindness is yours.