In the years after my husband died, I wrote a small collection of “grief poems.” The Antigonish Review (TAR), one of the oldest continuing literary journals in Canada, published three of them in their summer 2026 issue. I’m pleased too that they’ve graciously given me permission to carry them here, in case anyone is interested. Thanks for reading!
Thanks for sharing these poems, Dora. I especially identified with the poem January. I’ve been in that place…
Yes, you have, Elfrieda. In all the places loss takes us. Thank you for your company on that path.
Oh, Dora, thank you so much for sharing these exquisite poems! I’ve been going to some literary sessions about grief and poetry, and these fit perfectly. I’ll see if I can get a copy of The Antigonish Review. Thank you again, and I hope you’re having a lovely fall! It’s been beautiful here.MarjMarjorie Poor
Thank you Marjorie. This means a lot to me. (Btw, a small thing, but there’s not supposed to be a capital on “revealed.” You know how it is, tiny typos slip in. 🙂 ) All best to you in the sessions on grief and poetry.
Thank you, Dora. Seven years later, I still have her wedding dress in my closet.
Oh, I so get that, Sam. There’s a poem right there.
Beautiful poems, Dora., thanks for sharing them.
Thank you, Sarah.
Oh Dora!! How vulnerable and holy.
Thank you, as these poems will resonate for not only women whose husbands have died (notice I didn’t say widows), but for others with significant losses who grieve (even who live with chronic grief); and I will share them with Dorothy, whose husband died in 1992; and Irene, whose husband died in January 2023.
They also inspire me to send in some of my poems — post-haste.
Hope you are well, and happy Thanksgiving to you.
Love, Elsie
Thank you Elsie. And for the word vulnerable. It’s okay if strangers see, but in front of friends, there’s that extra little pause within.– And yes, post-haste, you must must must submit your poems — to various journals. — A happy Thanksgiving to you as well.
Beautiful. Thank you, Dora.
And thank you Loretta. I hope you’re keeping well.
Very moving. The story of the shirt will stick with me.
Thank you Shirley, for reading them and being here with your steady encouragement.
Glad you shared them. Thanks for letting me enter into the doorway of grief with you.
And thank you, with all my heart, for your company there!
Dora, This is sad, and sweet, poignant . I especially love the few lines about the song “Imagine “. A whole tiny poem inside the larger one!Aloha,Nancee
Thanks so much, Nancee!