For those whom I have lost
Through pain and sorrow, I found my solace in art
A refuge from the darkness, a way to mend my heart
My sketches from the past , beckoned me to create
To finish what I started, to heal and elevate
My Father, gone too soon, took a piece of me
Each year that follows, more sorrow, more loss, made it hard to see
In this hole of black darkness, it grows
Like a poison in my warm blood it flows
Countless times, in grief, I stayed and lost my way
But within the depths, I found an open door one day
Art was my salvation, a way to see the light
To embrace life’s beauty, and to keep my heart alight
I learned to let go, to cherish what remains
To protect the love inside me, and to banish all the pains
For those who’ve left us, are never truly gone
They watch over us, guiding us through life’s marathon
And as I sat outside, a monarch butterfly appeared
I felt my father’s presence, his spirit now revered
For though he’s gone, he’s always with me, in a different way
And through my art, i’ll honor him and keep his memory at bay
To all who struggle, know that you’re not alone
Take the time to heal, and let your heart be shown
For in the depths of pain, there’s beauty to be found
And in the midst of chaos, peace can be profound.
- JV
