Valley of Life | Online Memorial Blog

Nearly a week ago, tragedy struck the Haitian nation. Today, devastation continues to take its toll. Homes, businesses, schools are left in ruin, and friends and family continue to realize terrible fears — their loved ones have been lost. In the wake of this disaster, Valley of Life encourages you to support the grieving nation in any way you can. Some can give money, others can provide skills and manpower, and others can simply offer prayers and hope for the future. Still, there are those who wish to humbly offer the comforting power of the written word in order to help navigate the road to recovery. As such, the following is a recently composed memorial poem for those affected by the earthquake in Haiti. (more…)

I came across this poem as I was searching for resources to help with holiday grief. The poem references the tragic loss of young children, and how the holiday season only worsens the grief of the parents they’ve left behind. Despite the pain, however, the parents offer those who are hurting a glimmer of hope by alluding to a “mysterious Something” that keeps love in their lives. If you’re someone in particular who deals with grief during this time of year, hopefully this beautifully written poem can lend some comfort. (more…)

In 1998, the following poem was confirmed to have been composed by Mary Elizabeth Frye, as this fact was disputed for a number of years.  The poem is unique in that it is written from the perspective of the deceased, not the mourning. It’s easy to see why this particular piece has become a popular reading at funerals — it’s spiritual imagery and commanding but poetic voice help reassure the listener of the deceased’s continuing life, as contradictory as that may sound. In fact, the author does a remarkable job of reminding us our loved ones live on in the still, small moments and the loud, grand moments alike. Personally, I appreciate the way Frye takes her reader on a journey: at first, she begins with a sorrowful subject, no doubt, mourning the loss of a loved one, but over the course of her prose, she successfully leads the reader to a sense of joy. Quite the feat. (more…)

In light of the upcoming day of remembrance, I thought I’d share a poem pertaining to the events of September 11, 2001. I found this particular poem amidst a list of poems written specifically in response to 9/11. This particular poem, however, was written by Thomas Moore, an Irish lyricist who lived over 200 year ago. Even though this poem was composed long before 9.11.01, it still speaks to the nature of loss we all felt that day as well as the hope we still hold dearly in our hearts — which is why I think it bears repeating today. (more…)

Edgar Allan Poe is poet who, despite his tendency toward dark subjects as his most well-known poems like “The Raven” or “The Bells” suggest, is recognized among the greatest of poets — oft recited, studied, and imitated. As I was perusing a catalogue of Poe’s works, I came across the following poem that speaks about the death of a loved one. Some commentators specifically suggest it is a woman whom Poe cared for and likened to an angel (or seraph) amidst his dark nature. To those who have lost someone truly dear, the poem speaks beautifully of the continuing memory and relationship between the speaker and the one departed.

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