Does Anyone Know? // The Shopping Trip

Does Anyone Know?

Does anyone know what today should be?

Anyone else or is it only me?

Does anyone know how great today would have been,

If you would have come now, instead of then.

It seems people forget; to them it is just another day.

But for me, I just can’t think of it that way.

My heart aches and I can’t stop the tears.

I keep on wishing that you were still here.

Others just don’t understand why, today, I mourn.

Today is a special day; the day you should have been born

**In honor of my son, John Raiden Gauge

Born sleeping January 16, 2008**

Author Heather Will

The Shopping Trip

Linda Vicory

As I persue the aisles,

of the local store,

I see things more differently,

than I ever have before.

"Daddy’s Little Angel",

the embroidered bibs do read.

But, Daddy’s angel is in Heaven,

and bibs he does not need.

He does not need a bottle,

a dress or a toy.

Of buying those things for him,

we shall never know the joy.

There are tiny jars of baby food,

that he will never eat,

And shiny shoes with buckles,

that will never touch his feet.

As the bikes and trikes taunt me,

from high up on the rack,

Tears will break free from my eyes,

if I dare look back.

I run off to the restroom,

to blow my nose and cry.

I wipe my eyes, swallow hard,

and let out a sigh.

I must go face the paper,

college and wide rule,

That my little angel,

will never use in school.

I hurry past the greeting cards,

that the people chose with care,

And I am reminded,

of the holidays we shall not share.

In the checkout line I bow my head,

and heavy is my heart,

For the family right in front of me,

has a newborn in their cart.

Shopping in the local store,

used to be mundane.

Now every aisle’s full of items,

which remind me of my pain.

So, quick as I can, I give the cashier,

the money from my purse,

And hurry away from those who don’t know my pain,

in this foreignly happy universe.