When I say sorry for your loss

it may sound perfunctory

trite even

but what I mean is

I am sorry

that you wake in the night

gasping for breath

heart racing in agony.

I am sorry

that you will know a lifetime

of what ifs and

could have beens.

I am sorry

that you ache

for one more minute with your love

knowing it can never be.

When I say sorry for your loss

please know

my soul is reaching out to yours

in understanding

and trying very hard

to take away

just one little ounce of your pain.

Donna Ashworth