Nothing can be said

Nothing can be said

She was silent when I came in,
we sat for many moments just being with each other, then,
the mourning woman looked a me with a strained smile, her eyes pools of longing,
stupefied trying to say the words to relieve her inner torment,
yet nothing coming forth at first.

"I miss my daughter so",she finally whispered, so low that I had to lean
in to hear her clearly. "So alive, filled with love of others,
always seeking someone to help, her heart so big,
now her heart is silent in her cold grave, how can I bear it"?

"I visit her grave and I want to scream", she continued, then her tears flowed,
a raging river of pain shed without shame, nor any real relief achieved;
"so much pain for her when she lay dying, so much pain",
the mother moaned, "I almost went insane
for I could not bear the agony for her, she was alone,
and I"
she said looking up
"was there with her in her pain and fear, holding her hand,
kissing her forehead, wiping her hot skin with a cool cloth,
so little I could do, yet I did what I could,
until the end came,
her body still, peaceful, her face serene",

"I was relieved", she wailed into her hands, "glad it was over,
for her, me, for all of us".

"Please" she continue, "no words, just listen, the pain is mine,
I must bear it to the end, for I loved my daughter so,
and I would have it no other way,
I would do it all over again, she was such a light,
once bright now gone"

All I could do is simply sit and pretend to be strong.

There are times when nothing should be said,
it is enough to share the pain,
to simply be with,
for nothing can be said.