When Parents Leave Us Poem by Ronni ManoaHofbauer

In the void where they once stood,
The world shifts, misunderstood.
No longer children, we must be
Guardians of our own destiny.

Their hugs, a warmth we can't replace,
Their kisses, a now-phantom grace.
Words that lifted, encouraged, inspired,
Now echoes of love that time has retired.

Life's path grows steeper, harder to climb,
Without their shield from the thorns of time.
Orphaned hearts, regardless of age,
Face an unfamiliar, daunting stage.

Though we've built families of our own,
Their faces in our souls are sewn.
Etched forever in memory's art,
Parents remain life's counterpart.

Within us all, a child still lives,
Yearning for the comfort parents give.
That unconditional, steadfast love,
Now whispers to us from above.

We stand alone, yet not apart,
Their legacy lives in each heart.
Though they've gone beyond our reach,
Their love remains, a silent speech.