For Lindsay

Paul E Wells

If tears could heal a broken heart,
I’d weep all night for you.
If dreams could bring you back again,
I’d sleep my whole life through.
If memories could restore our bond,
I’d not forget you ever.
If pain could lead to Heaven’s gate,
With joy I’d hurt forever.
If silence touched you with my love,
I’d wait in perfect peace.
If words were angels over you,
My prayers would never cease.
If death could ease its dreadful grip
Enough to say good-bye,
I’d hold you close my sleeping child
Until the day I die!

About this poem

I wrote this poem in memory of my daughter, Lindsay, in the days after she passed away.

Font size:

Collection

Written on September 08, 2016

Submitted by paulw.71370 on February 21, 2024

: 32 sec read
: 693 Views

Quick analysis:

Scheme	ABCBDEFEGHBHIJKJ
Closest metre	Iambic tetrameter
Characters	520
Words	108
Stanzas	1
Stanza Lengths	16

Full analysis for For Lindsay »

Paul E Wells

· 1951 · Windsor

I am a former touring full-time musician in the secular music industry. In recent decades, I have served as Music Director/liturgical musician in Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Presbyterian parishes. I write hymns, religious songs, secular songs, and compose classical music, primarily for piano. My formal education is in social service work. more…

All Paul E Wells poems | Paul E Wells Books

10 fans

Discuss the poem For Lindsay with the community...

21 Comments

Notify me of new comments via email.

ladyygracious
A heartbreaking and deeply emotional expression of grief and longing, beautifully capturing the intensity of parental love and the overwhelming desire to reconnect with a lost child.
LikeReply 12 days ago
- paulw.71370
  Thank you for your eloquent and perceptive interpretation of my poem.
  LikeReply4 hours ago
ladyygracious
A heart-wrenching and deeply emotional expression of grief, longing, and love, beautifully capturing the intensity of parental loss and the yearning for reunion.
LikeReply 12 days ago
Kama77
What a lovely piece,
So beautiful
LikeReply 19 days ago
- paulw.71370
  Thank you for your kind words.
  LikeReply9 days ago
hallie.christiano
So beautiful
LikeReply 110 days ago
- paulw.71370
  Thank you!
  LikeReply9 days ago
delano
Exactly, i enjoyed it
LikeReply 11 month ago
delano
Nice. I love it
LikeReply 11 month ago
- paulw.71370
  Thank you!
  LikeReply9 days ago
- delano
  thank you
  LikeReply9 days ago
Amirhosein_aj
I enjoyed it very much
LikeReply 11 month ago
- paulw.71370
  Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it/
  LikeReply1 month ago
Shocam
This poem touches deep into the heart. Hope your daughter finds the best place in heaven.
LikeReply4 months ago
- paulw.71370
  Thank you for your kind words!
  LikeReply4 months ago
Damelia
This is beyond beautiful. Sad where the inspiration came from, but it's our experiences the truest and deepest connections that bring forth our best artistic pieces
LikeReply9 months ago
- paulw.71370
  Thank you for your kind words. You are correct that our creative impulses are best channeled through our life experiences regardless of how hurtful they may be.
  LikeReply 19 months ago
ladythepoet21490
This is a beautiful piece and sad to learn of the tragedy that inspired it. I'm sorry to hear. I hope you find comfort, and also if it helps, in knowing that our loved ones never truly leave us. they are with us in every step we take, every breath and every memory we share. They shared a part of life with us and though they might be far, they're never truly gone. more »
LikeReply9 months ago
- paulw.71370
  Thank you for your condolences. You are correct in saying our loved ones who have passed on remain with us in some way.
  LikeReply9 months ago
ashupraj87
Really ! Reading this one is something that could make you remember your lost one. Well deserved first place. Learnt a lot too.
LikeReply9 months ago
- paulw.71370
  Thank you. I'm glad the poem was meaningful for you.
  LikeReply9 months ago
Philipo
Congrats. Touching one.
LikeReply9 months ago
- paulw.71370
  Thank you!
  LikeReply9 months ago
DougHaberman
Beautiful and heartfelt and so full of love.
LikeReply9 months ago
- paulw.71370
  Thank you for your comment. It is much appreciated!
  LikeReply9 months ago
npirandy
That it did indeed.
LikeReply 29 months ago
sengacaldwell
A very well deserved win. This is a beautifully poignant piece, it took my breath away when I read the last lines.
LikeReply 29 months ago
- paulw.71370
  Thank you for your kind words. It was truly and unexpected honour to have my poem selected for this month's 1st prize!
  LikeReply 29 months ago
npirandy
When I feel your pain, you've made your point. This has perfect flow and rhyme. The sadness shines through. It is a beautiful tribute fittingly for a painful loss.
LikeReply 29 months ago
- paulw.71370
  Thank you for your kind words of support. I'm pleased the poem was able to resonate with you emotionally.
  LikeReply 29 months ago
Symmetry60
Beautifully written with perfect cadence and flow. I am sorry for your loss, Paul. Congratulations on the win.
LikeReply 29 months ago
- paulw.71370
  Thank you for your congratulations and condolences. I'm still in a bit of shock over wining 1st prize. I was thinking a mug....maybe.
  LikeReply 29 months ago
DeBoer
Everything is perfect. Rhyme, rhytm, form and motif. Well balanced, concise and engaging.
LikeReply 29 months ago
- paulw.71370
  Thank you for your insightful comments. It's an honour to be appreciated by other poets like yourself.
  LikeReply 29 months ago
Vixility
Tenderly eloquent and sincere, I could feel the longing anguish of the writer. Beautiful metrical cadence, lovely use of language, and a wonderful, wonderful tribute poem for Lindsay … I hope this poem wins. more »
LikeReply 29 months ago
- paulw.71370
  Thank you for your valued feedback, kind words, and well wishes. Your insights made my day and warmed my heart. .
  LikeReply 19 months ago
Ruthmahogany
The poem nicely relates the story of grief and it resonates deeply. I will go any mile to save a loved one if I can, words cannot say. But oh well, this poem did.
LikeReply 29 months ago
- paulw.71370
  I'm glad my poem was able to speak to you at an emotional level. Grief is something we all esperience at some point in our lives and it's so difficult to put into words. Thank you for your comment. . more »
  LikeReply 29 months ago
maryamaribi
It holds a lot of meaning to it. it reflects the reality and I was able to feel both the pain and the joy of the writer.
LikeReply 29 months ago
- paulw.71370
  Thank you for your insight. On the surface, it seems paradoxical how pain and joy can sometimes go hand in hand.
  LikeReply 29 months ago

Translation

Find a translation for this poem in other languages:

Select another language:

Citation

Use the citation below to add this poem to your bibliography:

Style:MLAChicagoAPA

"For Lindsay" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Dec. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/182713/for-lindsay>.

Become a member!

Join our community of poets and poetry lovers to share your work and offer feedback and encouragement to writers all over the world!

The Web's Largest Resource for

Poets, Poems & Poetry

A Member Of The STANDS4 Network

More poems by

Paul E Wells

December 2024

Poetry Contest

Join our monthly contest for an opportunity to win cash prizes and attain global acclaim for your talent.

Submissions due in...

days

hours

minutes

105 entries submitted — 45 remaining

Special Program

Earn Rewards!

Unlock exciting rewards such as a free mug and free contest pass by commenting on fellow members' poems today!

Our awesome collection of

Promoted Poems

Browse Poetry.com

#A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Random New Poems

Quiz

Are you a poetry master?

Who wrote the poem "School Boy" as a part of the poetry collection entitled "Songs of Experience"?

A William Blake

B William Wordworth

C Robert Frost

D Walt Whitman