A Cloak of Starlight

On August 22, 2015 By Anna EastlandIn motherhood, Poetry, Stillbirth, Writing2 Comments

I go outside for a walk in the dark garden,

only two bare feet to hold up my heavy heart,

and after the warmth of the concrete driveway

surrender to the melancholic cool of the evening grass.

In the stillness of dusk

amid the silent flowers,

the sadness for my lost little love

wraps me about like a cloak of starlight

poignant and piercing.

I hurry inside

to capture this poem,

preserve this tear like a crystal jewel

and offer it to you, Jo,

the one whom I can give nothing

but the pangs of love.

Signs of Sweetness

On October 23, 2014October 24, 2014 By Anna EastlandIn Family Life, motherhood, Photos1 Comment

Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal.
St. Thomas Moore

So many signs of tenderness continue to pour in, along with meals and assurances of prayers, as we grieve the sudden loss of our baby Josephine during labour three weeks ago. We are so blessed by these many signs of sweetness. Thank you to everyone who has shown us such generosity and support. God is finding so many ways to say “I love you” to us every day.
Here are pictures of a few:

Two dozen gorgeous pink roses sent to our door from a couple in our parish:

A single perfect rose left anonymously at her grave:

A plant for me to take care of, called a Josephine:

All who have been touched by beauty are touched by sorrow at it’s passing.
Louise Cordana

Lend me your hope for awhile. A time will come when I will heal, and lend my renewed hope to others.
Eloise Cole

When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart. You shall see in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.
Khalil Gibran

Josephine Pilar, our sweet little star, we are so grateful for you! We will love you forever!

Dull Ache

On October 17, 2014 By Anna EastlandIn motherhood, PoetryLeave a comment

Dull ache
like I’ve fallen flat on face
Grey skies
match my insides

It’s hard to talk
about her today
The pain throbs
in a delicate way
that won’t leave

I’m sitting here
eating Cheerios without cheer
My little ones laugh
and sing
but I don’t feel like doing a thing

Strange day
now that she’s gone away
The neighbourhood seems
empty and odd

Life’s going on
people bustling away
But I’m in this bubble
floating above
feeling lost
without my little love

Grey skies
match my insides
It’s gonna be awhile
till I find colour again
But in the mean time
I’m hoping for rainbows
looking for sun though my tears

Josephine

On October 11, 2014October 14, 2014 By Anna EastlandIn Poetry6 Comments

Josephine flashed before us
with the brightness and beauty
of a shooting star

Our hearts are broken by the briefness
of her visit with us

She has climbed onto our Father God’s lap
and is whispering to him our secrets
with sweet confidence
Speak to her in your hearts
the only language she will ever know is love