Please don't tell me you know how I feel,
Unless you have lost your child too.
Please don't tell me my broken heart will heal,
Because that is just not true.
Please don't tell me my son is in a better place,
Though it is true, I want him here with me.
Don't tell me someday I'll hear his voice, see his face,
Beyond today, I cannot see.
Don't tell me to face the fact he is gone,
Because denial is something I cannot stop.
Don't tell me to be thankful for the time that I had,
Because I wanted more.
Don't tell me when I am my old self you will be glad,
I'll never be as I was before.
What you can tell me is that you will be here for me.
That you will listen when I talk of my child.
You can share with me precious memories,
You can even cry with me a while.
And please don't hesitate to say his name,
Because it is seething I long to hear every day.
Friend, please realise that I can never be the same,
But if you stand by me,
You may like the new reason I become someday.
(C) Judi Walker (in memory of Shane) 1998
