My first love
Love and loss are intertwined in the deepest parts of the human heart. My First Love and Empathy together tell a story of heartbreak and healing; the sudden shock of losing someone beloved, the heavy weight of grief, and the tender journey toward peace. These poems speak not only to personal sorrow but to the shared experience of standing with others who mourn, reminding us that love remains even after loss, living on in memory and compassion.
The poem:
He died eight years ago.
I cried every day for five years,
yet I never healed.
It was 2017.
I was getting my hair ready,
preparing to see him that year,
after so long apart.
I anticipated his words,
the way he’d look at me,
his gentle touch,
even as I shyly turned away.
He was a true reflection of love,
unconditional, fierce, and kind.
He took a moment just to admire my beauty,
smiling as if I was the only one in the world.
He knew the risks of loving me,
but still, he made his move.
How could I not be charmed?
But right then.
That very moment,
everything changed with just one phone call.
Shock swept over me.
What? Why? How?
No tears, no sorrow; only denial.
A few days later,
I stood in his home,
attending his funeral.
Every tear I held back
now poured down like rivers.
Nothing made sense.
My mind overflowed with memories,
silent cries tearing at my heart.
For five years, guilt filled me,
all the calls I ignored,
all the love I never gave him.
How can life be so cruel
to take you away?
Couldn’t I have seen you once more?
Just to say goodbye?
Questions without answers.
Eight years later,
you remain in my mind and heart.
…Empathy
Today, it’s you,
standing before me,
crying the same tears,
feeling the same fear.
You have no direction,
nothing makes sense.
Your heart is heavy with memories,
and the pain of words never spoken.
He died,
and left you alone.
Eventually,
the pain will ease,
you will cry a little less.
Your heart will always hold his memories,
and slowly,
you will find peace.
Reflection
Losing a first love leaves an imprint that time alone cannot erase. Healing is neither quick nor linear, but it is possible. May these poems be companions for anyone walking the difficult road of grief and remembrance.