Loving Poem about Family

Emotional Poem About Coping After Abandonment

A poem written by a woman who was abandoned by an important person in her life. Though the experience has made her a stronger person, she sometimes wishes to go back to the time when this person was in her life.

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This poem hit me like a truck. My mum's around, but she's never had an emotional attachment to me. My dad's a loser somewhere. I struggle daily with my feelings and am struggling after my...

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While You Weren't Here

©

Published by Family Friend Poems February 2006 with permission of the Author.

While you weren't here
I cried every night.
A million tears fell,
Still my heart wasn't right.

While you weren't here
I did what I could,
Hoping against hope
My decisions were good.

While you weren't here
I gained some in age.
Things just went on
And life turned a page.

While you weren't here
I just tried to go on,
Knowing what didn't kill me
Would only make me strong.

While you weren't here
A whole lot got changed.
My life became different,
My world rearranged.

While you weren't here
I had to learn to be alone,
To stand on my two feet,
To make my own home.

So that's where I am now,
At this stage of my life,
Still scared and alone,
Still coping with strife.

And oh how I wish that
Things could be different,
That I could go back
To a time in the past,

To a time before
You weren't here.

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Has this poem touched you? Share your story!
  • By Damaries by By Damaries
  • 7 years ago

I was going on my 24th wedding anniversary in a couple of months in 2012 when I received the dreaded call from a Sargent that my husband died in an automobile accident. His death was quick for him, but it will stay with me.
Our golden years will never be but the memory of him lives for evermore because of who he was. A man who knew how to love, and yes, he rocked my world. I'm not hurt as much because it has turned to a blessing that I lived such an experience with him. For that, I thank God for you, Peter.

  • Ashleigh J. Duckworth by Ashleigh J. Duckworth
  • 7 years ago

This poem hit me like a truck. My mum's around, but she's never had an emotional attachment to me. My dad's a loser somewhere. I struggle daily with my feelings and am struggling after my partner of 5 years left me. My body aches for just a hug just to feel loved and cared for. I watch my younger half-sisters showered in love while I see my weekly therapist who I sit with and talk about how I think something is wrong with me because my parents don't love me. What did I do to deserve to be emotionally neglected?

  • FriendSam by FriendSam
  • 7 years ago

Ashleigh, your heart spoke to me. I learned a very long time ago that we put too much stock in blood relatives. I have brothers I have not seen in 40+ years and one I have never seen. But I have such a big beautiful family now...the only 2 related to me are my kids. Like the song says... love the one you're with.
Peace,
Suzanne

  • Peter Asmourisking by Peter Asmourisking
  • 7 years ago

After reading the poem I was deeply moved, but after reading your story I got deeply concerned. Nonetheless, I want to say that there is nothing wrong with you. If the world refuses to love you, love yourself. If life wants to be unfair, find reasons to be happy...Everyone deserves to be happy, and your happiness is rested in your hands and not with the people around you...be happy, dear, and God bless.

  • Theresa by Theresa
  • 8 years ago

My mother didn't abandon me physically...I'm 43 and she's still around, but emotionally I hungered for her love and positive attention. Being the youngest of 4 and now a mother myself I've made my share of mistakes during years of addiction...I now am 2 years and 7 months sober I have made an emotional amends and a living amends. I stopped waiting for an answer of why my childhood didn't show me love instead of just saying it to me. But someone told me you will get your answer in the next life...Heaven. I'm good with that.

  • Yvonne by Yvonne
  • 7 years ago

I am the oldest of 4. I have prayed for years that my mother would love me like she did the others, but I have finally realized that it's not going to happen. I just wish she knew that I was still alive. I have been blessed with 3 little girls, ages 5 and under that I can love and teach them how to love and be loved. Thank you God for blessing me with them.

  • Anna by Anna
  • 8 years ago

I was abandoned by parents also when I was a child. They thought alcohol and drugs were more important than me. I was taken away from them and its how I felt when they abandoned me. I truly thought they actually loved me, but I was wrong and I had to move on with life and be who I am today.

  • Stephanie by Stephanie
  • 7 years ago

I know what you feel. Ii grew up in the system. I never was adopted; I got emancipated at 17.

  • Daniel Worku by Daniel Worku, Ethiopia
  • 10 years ago

Oh, what a heart touching story. I grew up with my grand mam starting from the 6 months of my born. I called her my mam not grand mam cause I lived with ma mam for un memorized 6 months. She was everything for me, I lost her in cancer. I miss her anytime any where. I hate and left the place I grew up after she died cause that remind me what I did with her. God bless my special mama.

  • Joyce E Case by Joyce E Case
  • 10 years ago

Touched me deeply. Could be me speaking those words, thinking those thoughts. My dear husband left us February 10, 2013. Very suddenly and I miss him so much and often wish I could go back to a time before "when you weren't here".

  • Annemarie by Annemarie
  • 10 years ago

Thank you for your poem. How I can relate. Lost my Mom and Dad in one year, I was only 13 years old. And it's like you said-Wish you could go back. I would like to go back and say: I love you one more time. Thanks for sharing. Just know that you are not alone.

  • Valerie by Valerie
  • 8 years ago

Omg you made me cry. Your parents would be so happy of you. And don't worry, they know you love them.
:)

  • Nik by Nik
  • 10 years ago

Beautiful! Made me think of my dad. My best friend. My protector. I miss him dearly every day. God bless him!

  • Mozelle by Mozelle, Houston Texas
  • 14 years ago

This is a very special poem. It reminds me of my mother, (RIP). I was left with many different people when I was a child
and I cried many tears wishing my mom was near. In my heart as a child I knew she would return and she did. I recall when my mothers mom died and mom cried for days. Mom told me as she wiped away her tears that when you lose your mother you lose your best friend. Yes, I still miss my mother and I wish she were here.

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