Shed No Tears* Poem by Terence George Craddock (Spectral Images and Images Of Light)

Don’t look for me by the graveyard stone
that stands forlornly all alone,
Don’t look here for that which remains
among this field of windswept grain.
Beside a timeless ancient oak
towering silently high above
the soft dark earth that gives it strength.

Standing securely against
these chilling gales and monsoon rains.
Sheltering that unimportant part
you mourn for here that still survives.
Do not weep my love
it’s an illusion I am not here.


For I am there by your fireside
when you’re all alone and wonder why.
I am there on those miss you nights
when you lie awake so long so softly cry.
In the child’s laughter
the tender caring smile.

In the open and gentle act
that holds out a hand
asking no thanks or pay me back.
I am there in the love and time
given to those in need,
with desperate troubled minds.


My love for you still lights a glow
that leads you on to strive alone.
To try to ease those fallen souls.
Shattered wastewood of our time.

Where personal gain, possessions, power -
are the dominant themes,
holding the spotlight
in an unbalanced hour.
The false and useless social goals
of a hedonistic, me first society,
that you now strive to change alone.


So shed no tears for me my love
for where you find a few that care,
my spirit lives,
finding comfort there.

My only sorrow was leaving you,
yet for true love our time apart
is but, for a short measure in the dark.

While time will
soon restore the bridge,
so do not cry, don’t despair.
Remember me my love
and I am there.


Copyright © Terence George Craddock