Pretense
Pretense is various forms of make believe,
used by most parents who are bereaved.
Public pretense, yes, we know is expected,
to avoid our being crushed and rejected.
We feel cheated when we must pretend,
but society demands it, we just give in.
When asked how we are, a mother, a father bereaved,
our answer is a lie, an untruth, that of make believe.
We are not fine in any sense of the word.
We can't be truthful, how totally absurd.
Grieving parents quickly become familiar with pretense.
We soon learn nobody wants to know our pain so intense.
We used to be fortunate after having a scary nightmare,
and wake, relieved, only a bad dream, never to really care.
We now may be granted a few nights of peaceful slumber,
but come morning, there's the truth, we very well remember.
Relatives and friends don't really want to hear.
To be uncomfortable, loss of words, they do fear.
We were once friends & relatives who lacked the right words.
and avoided those in pain, we now know how indescribable, this hurt.
But there is really little anyone can do or say.
We find our way as we walk this road every day.
Pretending is what our children used to do,
when they were young kids and innocent too.
Are we, grieving parents, somewhat like young children,
except we pretend to be fine, with our pain hidden within?
Strangers we have become to our very own being,
unrecognizable with forever painful grieving.
Pretense, this amazing word of several meanings,
will mask our feelings to keep others from seeing.
It doesn't matter, the days, months, many years,
we grieving parents shall always shed our tears.
We are forever bereaved parents regardless of time.
To out live our children is the most heinous of all crimes.
BACKGROUND DESIGN AND MUSIC