The Mighty Oak ~ A Poem for Mark
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
United States
November 10, 2008 10:16am CST
The past week has been rather difficult for me. My ex-husband, Mark, took a turn for the worse and was hospitalized. He had cancer and had been battling the disease for 20 years. As he predicted, it wasn't the cancer that took his life. It was an infection that led to kidney failure. I wrote the following poem for Mark. May he rest in peace.
From an acorn came the mighty oak.
Tall and strong he grew.
His branches protected those he loved.
But, over time, the branches grew weak.
The forces of nature were taking a toll.
The wind no longer rustled the leaves as there were no leaves to rustle.
The forest grew silent.
The Mighty Oak was no more.
The four saplings that grew at his feet withered a bit this day.
They joined the Weeping Willow and shed tears of grief.
The wind rustled the leaves. The sun shone brightly.
Life goes on.
The Mighty Oak will always stand tall in our memories.
6 people like this
10 responses
@tyc415 (5706)
• United States
10 Nov 08
What a beautiful poem you wrote. Are you going to read it or have it read at the service? He sure did have a long battle with that dreaded disease and since it was something else that took him from his family it sounds like he won that battle.
Again, I Love the poem you wrote in Mark's honor.
3 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
10 Nov 08
Thank you. I thought about this for a long time before I actually wrote it. I am sure that it could use some tweaking, but will leave it as is for now. I would like to read it at the services. Not sure I can hold it together long enough. Perhaps I will post it to the memorial they are having there. We are putting together a bunch of pictures too.
2 people like this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
10 Nov 08
I agree that you should read this at the service.
I worte a poem years ago for my mom when she passed away.
It took a lot longer to read it at the service between crying bouts etc.
But I did it.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
10 Nov 08
I just read the poem to my daughter. She said she would read it. I doubt I will be able to hold it together and do it myself.
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
10 Nov 08
Very nice poem for him.
The mighty oak also had some offspring to spread his might.
Thoughts and prayers to you and all others.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
3 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
10 Nov 08
Thank you Bob. Big huggers to you.
3 people like this
so true.@webeishere (36313)
• United States
10 Nov 08
Anytime at all.
But you need the hugs more at this time than I do.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB!!~
3 people like this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
13 Nov 08
Hello Elusive,
I'm so very sorry that I've missed all of this. I've had so much going on of late, and do feel bad that I didn't find this topic until today. My heart goes out to you and your family, at the loss of Mark. These things are never easy, and it's going to take a lot of time for everyone to get through this. Your poem is a wonderful tribute, and I do hope it was read at his service.
Hugs to you.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
14 Nov 08
The poem was read at the service and there wasn't a dry eye in the house.
1 person likes this
@neededhope (1078)
• United States
10 Nov 08
A beautiful poem that i'm sure mark would have loved being compared to a "Mighty Oak". I'm truly sorry for you lost. And since you said in your poem that there are four saplings I'm taking that he has four children? I hope each of his children are hanging in there and holding strong. My Prayers are with you.
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
11 Nov 08
Yes, we had 4 children together. They are adults now.
1 person likes this
@RhythmWalker1 (825)
• United States
11 Nov 08
Butterfly,
That was an awesome poem you wrote in tribute to Mark.
Keep writing, words always help ease any pain we are going through.
Just think, from this moment on there will always be a reminder
of him when you look at a tall oak tree...
Let it be a good one for you!
Bless You!
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
11 Nov 08
I am hoping that I can hold it together. My defenses are quite weak at this time.
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
11 Nov 08
Hello ElusiveButterfly. I am so sorry for the loss of your ex-husband due to the kidney failure. You are so nice with this emotional poem for Mark. I am so touched by this poem, which shows your true feeling towards him. May he rest in peace! Cheer up and take care, my dear friend. Blessed be!
1 person likes this
@rebelann (117211)
• El Paso, Texas
5 May 22
I'm sorry for your loss but I like the way you commemorated him.
