31 Comments
User's avatar
Morpho's avatar

My father told me recently — sometimes it takes profound sorrow to unlock the poet.

I think this is true. It happened for me 30 years ago. Poetry offers a form of healing that you can’t access in any other way. Keep writing; keep healing. Grateful that you choose to share your words. It helps us all feel and see a little bit more of our purpose.

Danielle's avatar
3dEdited

I agree 💜❤️‍🩹

And thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words.

Zoreldaruesue's avatar

So, so beautiful Danielle. It's perfect ❤️

Danielle's avatar

🥹 thank you so, so much

Rebecca Garifo Ph.D.'s avatar

The way you were able to put something so ethereal and heartbreaking into words and make it tangible. 👏💕

Danielle's avatar

This was my hope 💜💜

Sarah Christy's avatar

What an outstanding poem! I am a memoir author, who loves words. You inspire me to try some poetry.

Danielle's avatar

Thank you so much, Sarah 💜💜💜

Julie Raymond's avatar

This portrays that moment of meeting each other perfectly and then, sadly poignant, the time you learned of Toby’s illness. Love you Danielle. We are all so proud of you sharing your life while supporting others. The world is an enriched place because of you.

Danielle's avatar

Thank you so much, mom 💜🥹

Muri's avatar

Thank you.

I can feel your grief

and longing.

You don’t want to accept

your love taken from you.

You met in a doorway,

in a brief second in time.

It stopped you both

in your tracks, changed

the direction of your lives.

You experienced true love.

Then, taken from you too early…

Wishing you comfort,

and beautiful memories of such an incredible experience!

A spiritual blissful connection within you!

Danielle's avatar

❤️‍🩹💜

Nikki Meyler Miller's avatar

Danielle, the air in that jar WAS enough to make this "perfect" in every way! It grabbed my heart and won't let go.

Danielle's avatar

Thank you, Nikki 💜💜

jvdw's avatar

I'm reading some retellings of Greek mythology right now and the idea (and anthropomorphization) of Fate is so cruel and so beautiful. Your retelling of your experience through this poem feels akin to these stories in a modern world. Reading it, I can easily see why stories of beauty and pain stand the test of time. It's so powerful that you have taken the time to painstakingly immortalize your experience with words. It matters. So. Much. 💜

Danielle's avatar

I appreciate these words so much, my friend. I wanted to take the moment we met and give it life again even though we know how that life ends. And I also wanted to question fate and the idea of it, and maybe give that form too, in some way.

It means to much to share with everyone in this way and to receive the gift of others’ attention in this busy, grasping world 💜💜

jvdw's avatar

You've done all that and more 💜💜

Daisy Thomas Stone's avatar

Such a beautiful poem 💖💕✨

Danielle's avatar

Thank you, Daisy 💜🫂

Allana Walker's avatar

I love your poetry, Danielle.

Danielle's avatar

🥹 thank you, Allana

Divyasri Chakraborty's avatar

Poetry and grief go hand in hand. Feeling and realizing this more in this season of my life. Heartache-ingly beautiful words Danielle ❤️

Danielle's avatar

Thank you so much, my friend 💜💜

Tammy Davis's avatar

What a beautiful reflection on your search for all the whats-what was, what is, what could have been-and their intersections. Thank you for sharing such an intimate work.

Danielle's avatar

Tammy, thank you so much 💜💜💜

Laura Coleman's avatar

Thank you Danielle for sharing this deeply personal and moving poem. I feel so much resonance with it as I also felt an otherworldly fate pull my partner and I together; we had only 3 years before he passed from cancer. I felt called to share with you my poems about the doorway of acceptance and the portal of grief. I hope they offer you some resonance of heart as well. 🙏🏼

https://fairiesandgnomes.substack.com/p/moving-towards-love?r=19igav&utm_medium=ios

Olly von's avatar

That was really beautiful and the story of your meeting is so sweet.

Danielle's avatar

Thank you 💜💜

Scott Boult's avatar

Beautiful ❤️💜

Danielle's avatar

Thank you, Scott 💜💜