Jessie, I never knew you,
but by blood we are bound.
I did not even learn about you
until after I was grown.
In the few faded black and white pictures,
your face is one of great beauty.

Life for you was brief.
The time you spent on earth,
was filled with love, joy,
and in the end pain.
Pain that lasted in the hearts
of those left without you.

I know you came from a large
and loving family.
I also know you found true love.
You and John were crazy for each other,
and John never got over you, ever.
The love of his life you were,
and losing you, is what finally killed him.

Married so young,
wild-eyed dreamers deeply in love.
A child was born, a son.
A year and a half later, another son.
Then nineteen months after, your third son.

April ninth, nineteen thirty-five,
a day of happiness, a day of sorrow.
A prelude of days, weeks, months,
and the years to come.

Your third baby son,
lived and died that one single day.
I can only imagine the heartache.
A young wife and mother saying hello,
then goodbye,
to the baby you carried for nine months,
but only held a few hours.

Four days later,
two young sons and a loving husband at home,
your life was over.

Was it too painful to go on,
did you just let go?
Did your third son
need you more than those on earth?
I don't know and never will,
but three left behind became angry.

I came to see you and your baby.
Wish I knew his name.
It only says,
-Infant-
son of John and Jessie.

What's in a name,
the grandmother I never knew.
The mother of my father,
who is hard for him to remember.

Jessie, so much pain,
so much love, such a short but full life.
John and the boys always loved you,
but I don't think you were forgiven,
by those three left behind.

03/04/2003

Posted on 03/08/2003
Copyright © 2025 Adrian Calhoun