
The Emotional Depth of ‘Beat Still My Heart’: A Powerful Elegy
Key Takeaways
- ‘Beat Still My Heart’ is a powerful elegy reflecting the grief of losing a child to suicide, using shipwreck imagery.
- The poem captures profound sorrow and despair, intertwining personal experiences with universal themes of love and remembrance.
- The accompanying narrative explores the author’s journey through grief and healing, emphasizing the emotional depth of the loss.
- The work encourages readers to confront their own experiences with grief, highlighting the importance of support and creative expression in the healing process.
- The emotional depth of ‘Beat Still My Heart’ resonates with anyone facing the challenges of mourning, offering hope and connection in shared pain.
Summary
The Emotional Depth of ‘Beat Still My Heart’: A Powerful Elegy features the grief poem, “Beat Still My Heart,”a powerful elegy that uses shipwreck imagery to convey the grief of losing a child to suicide. The grief poem, written by Beth Brown, explores the profound sorrow and despair of such a loss, weaving together personal experiences with universal themes of love, loss, and remembrance. The poem is followed by a narrative that delves into the author’s journey of navigating grief and finding healing after the tragedy.
Introduction
The Emotional Depth of ‘Beat Still My Heart’: A Powerful Elegy delves into the intense emotional journey of losing a child to suicide, providing a heartfelt reflection through poetry and storytelling. This poignant exploration captures the profound sorrow and despair that such a loss brings, weaving together personal experiences with universal themes of love, loss, and remembrance. Set in a catastrophic storm, The Emotional Depth of “Beat Still My Heart:” A Powerful Elegy uses shipwreck imagery to convey the profound grief of losing a child to suicide.
Capturing the Essence of Grief
The powerful elegy, “Beat Still My Heart,” serves not only as a poetic reflection on personal loss but also as an elegant elegy that captures the essence of grief. Through its evocative language and emotional resonance, the poem invites readers to confront their own experiences with sorrow and remembrance. The poem’s themes of love, loss, and the healing process intertwine vivid imagery with heartfelt emotion, creating a piece that deeply resonates with anyone who has faced the challenges of mourning.
Historical Context of Elegiac Poetry
Exploring the historical context of elegiac poetry, the author examines how “Beat Still My Heart” fits within this rich tradition while also offering a contemporary perspective on the timeless experience of grief.
Related Reads
Did You Know? The Difference Between “Elegy” and “Eulogy”
Did You Know?
Elegy vs. Eulogy
Elegy (which may be traced to the Greek word elegos, “song of mourning”) commonly refers to a song or poem lamenting one who is dead. . . .
Both elegy and eulogy may be used about writing or speech in remembrance of a person who has passed away, and this semantic overlap creates the potential for confusion. Elegy (which may be traced to the Greek word elegos, “song of mourning”) commonly refers to a song or poem lamenting one who is dead; the word may also refer somewhat figuratively to a nostalgic poem, or to a kind of musical composition.
While eulogy is also commonly found referring to words about the deceased, its basic meaning, both in English and in the Greek language from which it was borrowed, is “praise.” Formed from the Greek roots eu “good” and logos “speech,” a eulogy is an encomium given for one who is either living or dead.
If you are praising your partner’s unsurpassed beauty or commending the virtues of the deceased at a funeral, you are delivering a eulogy; if you are composing a lamenting reminiscence about a person who has long since passed, you are writing an elegy.
“Elegy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

Table of Contents
A Note From the Author about “The Emotional Depth of ‘Beat Still My Heart’: A Powerful Elegy “
A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: The Emotional Depth of ‘Beat Still My Heart’: A Powerful Elegy not only includes the poem but also weaves in a poignant narrative that explores how losing a child to suicide can be life altering.
The powerful elegy, “Beat Still My Heart,” appears first, providing a deeply emotional reflection on loss, and then the story that inspired the author to write the poem follows, offering insights into the journey of navigating this profound sorrow.
My Forever Son

My Forever Son explores the profound grief, hope, and healing that follow the tragedy of losing a child to suicide.
My Forever Son dovetails the author’s journey of descending into deep grief, searching for hope, and finding healing along the way.
Please Note
A NOTE ABOUT THIS POST: The Emotional Depth of ‘Beat Still My Heart’: A Powerful Elegy
The story that appears after the powerful elegy, “Beat Still My Heart,” includes specific details of the background about my son’s suicide. Some readers may want to avoid the specifics of the suicide narrative behind the poem.

“Beat Still My Heart”: A Powerful Elegy
Beat Still My Heart
Beat still my heart,
Beat still my mind,
Weary though thou art,
Carry his love along with thine,
Though heavy on thy shoulders
Crost fields throughout all time.
In the deepest dark of the bleakest night,
If light there be, then dark shuts it out.
Around you all is swirling,
Hurtling backwards now through time,
A hellish hue stricken each his years
When here on earth 'twas mine.
Deeply within that starless night,
Go deeper yet still darker,
Oceans depth to oceans wide.
Galaxies wide careening,
Spilling insides outside in,
To release thy soul still screaming,
Clasping hands and heart to his.
Body, mind, soul, rough and ragged,
Weeping tears falling still throughout time,
Carrying weight of mourning and grieving
Falling broken when thou wert mine.
© Beth Brown, 2022
"Beat Still My Heart"
The Emotional Depth of 'Beat Still My Heart': A Powerful Elegy

Frequently Asked Questions: The Emotional Depth of ‘Beat Still My Heart’: A Powerful Elegy
What is the poemThe Emotional Depth of ‘Beat Still My Heart’: A Powerful Elegy about?
“Beat Still My Heart” is a powerful elegy by Beth Brown, written from the perspective of a grieving parent. It uses vivid shipwreck imagery within a catastrophic storm to illustrate the overwhelming sorrow and despair that follows the loss of a child to suicide. The poem captures the deep ache and intense emotions of early grief, while the accompanying post explores the journey of moving from that initial pain toward healing.
What is the significance of the “My Forever Son” blog?
My Forever Son is a supportive space created by Beth Brown, where she shares her journey through grief and healing after her son’s suicide.
It serves as a resource for other parents and survivors, offering original poems, songs, narratives, and articles to help navigate similar emotional landscapes. The blog emphasizes that healing is an ongoing process, and that love and loss can coexist and walk together.
The emotional depth of the work, The Emotional Depth of ‘Beat Still My Heart’: A Powerful Elegy :
The poem’s emotional depth is conveyed through its blend of personal experience and universal themes, creating a heartfelt and poignant exploration of loss. The shipwreck metaphor allows the poem to powerfully express the feeling of being overwhelmed, lost, and unable to breathe in the face of such devastation. By sharing this work, Beth Brown aims to connect with others experiencing loss, providing a sense of understanding, belonging, and hope in their healing journeys.
What is “The Emotional Depth of ‘Beat Still My Heart: A Powerful Elegy My Forever Son'” about?
The poem, along with Brown’s broader narrative on her blog My Forever Son, reveals a devastating and visceral emotional depth, encompassing shock, profound sorrow, self-blame, and a difficult journey toward healing after losing a child to suicide.
What is “The Emotional Depth of ‘Beat Still My Heart: A Powerful Elegy My Forever Son'” about?
The poem, along with Brown’s broader narrative on her blog My Forever Son, reveals a devastating and visceral emotional depth, encompassing shock, profound sorrow, self-blame, and a difficult journey toward healing after losing a child to suicide.
“The Emotional Depth of ‘Beat Still My Heart: A Powerful Elegy My Forever Son'” is the title of a post on the My Forever Son blog that explores Beth Brown’s poem of the same name (“Beat Still My Heart”), which serves as an elegy for her son lost to suicide, using shipwreck imagery to depict the profound grief and sorrow of the experience. The post delves into the intense emotional journey of navigating loss, weaving personal experiences with universal themes of love and remembrance to offer a reflection on healing after tragedy.
What is the overarching emotional depth about in the powerful elegy “Beat Still My Heart”?
The Emotional Depth of ‘Beat Still My Heart’: A Powerful Elegy –The elegy “Beat Still My Heart,” written by Beth Brown for her son Dylan, explores the gut-wrenching grief of losing a child to suicide through powerful shipwreck imagery. The poem, along with Brown’s broader narrative on her blog My Forever Son, reveals a devastating and visceral emotional depth, encompassing shock, profound sorrow, self-blame, and a difficult journey toward healing.
What are the themes and emotional expressions in The Emotional Depth of ‘Beat Still My Heart’: A Powerful Elegy that features the powerful elegy, “Beat Still My Heart”?
Themes and Emotional Expressions in The Emotional Depth of ‘Beat Still My Heart’: A Powerful Elegy
Shock and disorientation
The immediate aftermath of the loss is depicted as a disorienting catastrophe in The Emotional Depth of ‘Beat Still My Heart’: A Powerful Elegy.
- The “storm” of grief is overwhelming, pushing the poet down into a dark, suffocating sea.
- The world is “swirling” and “hurtling backwards now through time,” reflecting the surreal, confusing state of shock.
- In this “starless night,” the sense of being lost is absolute, with “no stars, no light” to guide her.
Profound and Existential Sorrow
Brown illustrates a total, physical devastation caused by her grief in The Emotional Depth of ‘Beat Still My Heart’: A Powerful Elegy.
- The elegy uses the image of “a great and terrible tsunami of grief” to describe the unrelenting and violent waves of sorrow.
- Her heart is described as a “shattered” vessel, unable to function normally after losing a child.
- The elegy describes an empty space left by her son’s absence, a feeling that “filled all of me” and that she “had been ripped through and torn away”.
Guilt, self-blame, and helplessness in The Emotional Depth of ‘Beat Still My Heart’: A Powerful Elegy
The elegy delves into the unique burden of a parent’s guilt following a child’s suicide.
- Brown grapples with the question of whether her love could have saved her son, a haunting feeling of being unable to protect him.
- The poem captures the desperate feeling of searching for her son amid the turmoil, an act of searching wildly and frantically in the roiling sea.
- The blog, My Forever Son, includes other poems (“That All of Love Could Sweep Time Back”: Guilt in Grief Poem) and writings that touch upon the persistent “could’ve, should’ve, would’ve” thoughts that plague grieving parents.
Longing and remembrance in The Emotional Depth of ‘Beat Still My Heart’: A Powerful Elegy
Amid the pain, the elegy, ‘Beat Still My Heart’ expresses a powerful and undying love for her son.
- Brown’s words carry a deep longing to connect with her son, reaching for him and clutching his memory.
- She recalls the beautiful moments of his life, cherishing his memory and honoring his presence even in his absence.
- The blog reveals that even years later, her life is forever defined by the memory of her son, a part of her “forever life”.
The contrast of inner and outer worlds in The Emotional Depth of ‘Beat Still My Heart’: A Powerful Elegy
The elegy contrasts the internal chaos of grief with the unbothered nature of the world outside.
Has the author of The Emotional Depth of ‘Beat Still My Heart’: A Powerful Elegy featuring “Beat Still My Heart,” by Beth Brown, written other poems on her blog, My Forever Son, that navigate the complex emotions of losing a child to suicide?
The author of The Emotional Depth of ‘Beat Still My Heart’: A Powerful Elegy featuring“Beat Still My Heart,” by Beth Brown, has written several other poems on her blog My Forever Son that navigate the complex emotions of losing a child to suicide.
- “If Only a Mother’s Love Could Have Saved You”: This poem explores the pervasive guilt and the “if only” thoughts that torment parents after a child’s suicide. It conveys a sense of profound longing, capturing the wish to turn back time and save a child from their pain.
- “Blue-Sky Moon”: Written for her son, Dylan, this poem reflects on a poignant childhood memory involving a blue-sky moon, creating a heartbreaking contrast with the dark reality of his loss. It expresses the parent’s regret and the sudden, shocking nature of the death.
- “Derecho: A Storm Out of Nowhere”: Brown’s poem links the emotional tumult of her grief to a literal storm that occurred on the day of her son’s funeral. The chaos of nature mirrors the internal chaos of her pain.
- “Sorrow Buried in Love”: This poem reflects on the slow and nonlinear process of grief and healing. It addresses the emotional pressure to “move on” and acknowledges that the sorrow and the love for the child will always be entwined in the parent’s heart.
What are some themes and literary devices that create emotional depth in The Emotional Depth of ‘Beat Still My Heart’: A Powerful Elegy that features the elegy, “Beat Still My Heart”?
The elegy “Beat Still My Heart,” written by Beth Brown, draws its emotional depth from shipwreck imagery to convey the author’s intense grief over losing her son to suicide. The poem,’Beat Still My Heart,’ featured in The Emotional Depth of ‘Beat Still My Heart’: A Powerful Elegy, along with the accompanying narrative on her blog My Forever Son, explores themes of overwhelming sorrow, disorientation, guilt, and the slow, arduous journey toward healing.
Themes and literary devices that create emotional depth in The Emotional Depth of ‘Beat Still My Heart’: A Powerful Elegy
Shipwreck imagery and drowning in grief in The Emotional Depth of ‘Beat Still My Heart’: A Powerful Elegy
- The elegy consistently uses maritime disaster as a central metaphor for suicide grief. In Brown’s narrative, the grief is described as a “great and terrible tsunami” that sweeps in violently, plunging her into the “dark ocean’s stormy seas”.
- This imagery conveys a feeling of being overwhelmed and out of control, unable to find anything to hold on to. The phrase “caught in the undertow of grief” powerfully describes the relentless and powerful nature of her sorrow.
Internal turmoil and a “shattered heart” in The Emotional Depth of ‘Beat Still My Heart’: A Powerful Elegy
- The title itself, “Beat Still My Heart,” captures the paradoxical experience of a life continuing after the heart has been shattered. It reflects the speaker’s internal turmoil and the command to a heart that is simultaneously racing with shock and aching with sorrow.
- The raw emotional state is depicted through vivid and chaotic internal experiences, such as thoughts “” and screaming sounds that are unrecognizable. This chaos captures the surreal and disorienting reality of acute grief.
Profound darkness and disorientation in The Emotional Depth of ‘Beat Still My Heart’: A Powerful Elegy
- The elegy uses darkness and the absence of light to convey feelings of hopelessness and despair. In one excerpt, Brown describes a “starless night” and a bleakness so deep that “dark shuts it out”.
- The darkness symbolizes the loss of direction and purpose after her son’s death, contrasting sharply with his memory as the “sun” or “son” of her life.
Guilt and self-blame in The Emotional Depth of ‘Beat Still My Heart’: A Powerful Elegy
- The elegy directly addresses the guilt that often accompanies the loss of a child, particularly to suicide. The author references the common tormenting question “If love could have saved him,” which underscores the feeling of personal failure and regret.
Search for hope and a path forward in The Emotional Depth of ‘Beat Still My Heart’: A Powerful Elegy
- Despite the immense pain, the elegy and its accompanying narrative also explore the slow process of finding healing through creative expression. The poem itself becomes a “conduit for healing and self-forgiveness,” and the blog My Forever Son was born from the need to express the “incredible pain”.
- This arc provides a profound sense of hope and resilience, showing that a person can eventually find serenity, though they are forever changed by their loss. The author carries her son’s memory forward and finds a way to live, even while acknowledging that she will always be a bereaved mother.

Exploring The Emotional Depth of Grief in “Beat Still My Heart”: A Powerful Elegy
Please Note: The story below is my own about my son’s suicide. The details are graphic, and sensitive readers may want to focus only on the poem above without reading the following story.
My Grief Descends: A Powerful Elegy Begins
The Emotional Depth of Losing a Child to Suicide
I am awash in grief, alive in my life’s greatest tragedy. The waves of sorrow crash over me, relentlessly, violently, shoving me down beneath the dark ocean’s stormy seas. I fall to depths I’ve never known, struggling to rise to the surface of my grief. Shallow breaths sustain me.
Frantic I search wildy
Frantic, I search wildly, scanning the surging waves driving me down, down, down. I cannot find my son.
I can’t find anything to hold onto
My life is only this: being plunged down and battered by the vehemence of the ocean’s dark storm. I can’t find anything to hold onto. Not a piece of shipwreck, not a life preserver, not floating debris. Was the middle of the ocean always like this?
No stars. No light. No color save absence of color. Just darkness. Bleak. Hopeless. Disorienting.
Violent, angry seas heave. No stars. No light. No color save absence of color. Just darkness. Bleak. Hopeless. Disorienting. And desperately searching for a glimpse of my son. But no sign of life anywhere. And struggling to sustain my own.
Desperately searching for a glimpse of my son. And struggling to sustain my own
“Nothing worse will (or can) happen to me,” I tell myself.
I have just been informed, in the most matter-of -fact way by a deputy sheriff and two officers, that my twenty-year-old only child, my son Dylan, had some convulsions and didn’t make it.
It is 4:08 a.m.
It is Monday morning.
Dylan has a dentist appointment at noon.
These will be the only facts I remember from this day.
My life does not move forward
I am plunged into an existence I struggle to navigate. My life does not move forward; time does not go forward; for all that I hold closest, all that I love most, has been ripped from my life.
“There’s no need to identify the body. The ID’s been made,” stated the deputy sheriff as he handed me a Ziplock bag with Dylan’s cell phone and wallet.
A Sense of the Surreal–Is This Even Real?
Submersed in an ocean of despair, grappling with unanswered questions and an overwhelming sense of helplessness, I feel suspended. A sense of the surreal–is this even real?
In shock, yet sobbing. Standing, but falling into the chair where I grade essays
I am in shock, yet sobbing. Standing, but falling into the living room chair where I grade papers, weeping, yet calling in a monotone, flatline voice unlike my own voice: “Dylan’s dead.”
Over and over I called–Dylan’s friends, my family, my friends, my work to say I wouldn’t be in for the day. Everybody came to my house, as though gathering together in the wee hours of the morning could somehow bring Dylan back.
Suicide changes everything. It rests in the margins of my life, an undertow beneath all else concurrent and elsewhere.
Beth Brown, Walking through Shadows: Surviving the Unthinkable Loss of a Child to Suicide, My Forever Son
Beat Still My Heart
Beat still my heart,
Beat still my mind,
Weary though thou art,
Carry his love along with thine,
Though heavy on thy shoulders
Crost fields throughout all time.
In the deepest dark of the bleakest night,
If light there be, then dark shuts it out.
Around you all is swirling,
Hurtling backwards now through time,
A hellish hue stricken each his years
When here on earth 'twas mine.
Deeply within that starless night,
Go deeper yet still darker,
Oceans depth to oceans wide.
Galaxies wide careening,
Spilling insides outside in,
To release thy soul still screaming,
Clasping hands and heart to his.
Body, mind, soul, rough and ragged,
Weeping tears falling still throughout time,
Carrying weight of mourning and grieving
Falling broken when thou wert mine.
© Beth Brown, 2022
My Forever Son

The Emotional Depths of Being Caught in the Undertow of Grief
In the throes of acute grief,
Beth Brown, My Forever Son
I rose and drowned a million deaths at sea,
forced under by tidal waves, shoved down deep past the violent destruction of his life–and mine. And in the floating and sinking debris, the shadowy reflection of
what (once) had been our life.
In Exile from My Life: The Unbearable Depth of Raw Grief
The stanza below from the grief elegy, “Beat Still My Heart,” reflects the chaos and confusion of my early grief.
In the deepest dark of the bleakest night,
If light there be, then dark shuts it out.
Around you all is swirling,
Hurtling backwards now through time,
A hellish hue, stricken each his years,
When here on earth ’twas mine.
Beth Brown, “Beat Still My Heart,” My Forever Son

“Beat Still My Heart”: The Profound Grief of Losing a Child to Suicide
I lived in exile from all that I knew
I lived in exile from all I knew—
not wanting to breathe,
unable to eat, awake even in sleep,
Collapsing inward into a grief
that consumed me,
Lighting a candle each night
staring into the flame, keening,
searching desperately for my son.
In grief so stark, my own breath shallow,
barely sustained.

A Great and Terrible Tsunami of Grief Swept In: The Emotional Depth of “Beat Still My Heart”
A great and terrible tsunami surged
Through all I cherished,
Sweeping away my love
My all into a violent starless sea,
Deeper than words can speak,
Darker than a bleak night.
I had finally surfaced from the ferocity of the storm and there I was, alone without my son. I didn’t want to live without him.
Beth Brown, Walking through Shadows: Surviving the Unthinkable Loss of a Child to Suicide, My Forever Son
Tidal Waves of Grief Swept Over Me in the Depths of Acute Grief
I couldn’t hear, see, be, hold, reach for, grasp, touch, feel anything familiar, loved, or comforting.
I couldn’t find my son, yet searched for him for days, weeks, and months. My heart ached in his absence, a profound sorrow that swept over every moment of my life.
The Sudden Silence of His Absence “Beat Still My Heart”
I collapsed more than moved, and sank into an armchair once used for reading. Beside me his books, my son’s growing up in words, from childhood to his teens to against this sudden silence of his absence.
Alone without My Son
When I came to, I realized that somehow I was still alive and that Dylan had been washed out to sea. I had finally surfaced from the ferocity of the storm and there I was, alone without my son.
I didn't want to live without him.
The emptiness I felt filled all of me.
Ripped through and torn away from all I loved,
I struggled to comprehend how life could go on
Without the sun, my son, the son in my life.
Darkness Descended; Questions Haunted Me Relentlessly
Darkness descended. Questions haunted me relentlessly.
Why couldn’t I save him?
What could I have done differently?
These thoughts spiraled endlessly, and despair engulfed me. I lost track of days. Of nights. Of what used to be my life.
Against Grief, I Wept; Against God, I Rallied; Against Myself, I Screamed
Against grief, I wept. Against God, I rallied. Against myself, I screamed sounds I didn’t recognize as my own.
The stanza that follows in “Beat Still My Heart”: A Powerful Elegy captures the intense emotions of confusion, shock, desperation, and raw sorrow.
Deeply within that starless night,
Go deeper yet still darker,
Oceans depth to oceans wide.
Galaxies wide careening,
Spilling insides outside in,
To release thy soul still screaming,
Clasping hands and heart to his.
Beth Brown, "Beat Still My Heart," My Forever Son
Struggling Against Darkness to Navigate Grief
Struggling against darkness, I searched for a way to navigate my grief. I knew only that I couldn’t do it alone.
Finding Support and Resources
Connecting with others who have endured the profound loss of a child to suicide has been a source of solace for me. Their understanding and compassion, combined with valuable resources like poignant books and grief counseling, have reminded me that I am not alone.
Parents of Suicides: An Online Support Group for Parents Who Lose a Child to Suicide

Suicide is the anchor point on a continuum of suicidal thoughts & behaviors. This continuum is one that ranges from risk-taking behaviors at one end, extends through different degrees & types of suicidal thinking, & ends with suicide attempts and suicide.
Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison, National Library of Medicine
Parents of Suicides is a dedicated international online closed email group where parents who have lost a child to suicide come together to offer support, hope, and healing. Join a Community of Understanding. Parents of Suicides (PoS) provides a safe space for sharing experiences, coping mechanisms, and emotional support. You are not alone in this journey. Together, we can find strength and solace.

Finding Healing in Creative Expression
Writing Music, Poems, and this Blog, My Forever Son: Healing After Losing a Child to Suicide
I lived in the paralysis of my deep grief for as long as it took to come to–the tidal waves to come less frequently, for me to be enough above the surface of the deep water to catch my breath.
I cried out to God, to Dylan, to life, but in the end, it changed nothing. And in this hopelessness, I found release for my pain in writing.
The Healing Power of Journaling
I began keeping a journal in early grief, then three years into grief, began this blog, My Forever Son, as a place to express the incredible pain of losing a child to suicide.
Writing is cathartic for me. I find my way through grief in writing stories, poems, songs, and a book of poems. At times (and after 12 years out from Dylan’s suicide), I even find serenity.

My Forever Son in the Forever Season of My Life
The stanza that follows affirms my steadfast love for my child as I carry my son forward in time to where I am here, as is, as now. Dylan lives through me, through creative expression, and he is always with me. I carry him in my heart
Beat Still My Heart
Beat still my heart,
Beat still my mind,
Weary though thou art,
Carry his love along with thine,
Though heavy on thy shoulders
Crost fields throughout all time.
Beth Brown, "Beat Still My Heart," My Forever Son
Inspired by My Forever Son: The Powerful Elegy “Beat Still My Heart”
Forever a bereaved mother, forever living outside the realm of “normal” for most people, forever having to travel a grief and life journey for which I had no equipping, no guide, no preparation, no direction.
The emotional depth of “Beat Still My Heart,” a powerful elegy, came from this pain of acute grief.
Yet I am also far enough along in my grief journey to find hope and healing in my life. My forever life will always be remembering backwards all those beautiful memories of my son during his growing up years.
Healing Guilt and Self-Blame: If Love Could Have Saved Him
On Healing Guilt and Self-Blame
But I am on a journey and truth be told, some days are just impossible.
Holidays, Dylan’s birthday in March, his memorial date in June, Mother’s Day, seasons of the year–summer as a whole because in what used to be one of my favorite months of the year, my son took his life. My Junes will forever be blue.
Coping with Guilt and Self-Blame
Parents of children who die by suicide often battle an added type of guilt. Even if they do not blame themselves for not directly intervening in the suicidal act, they often feel guilt over some perceived mistake in raising their children.
“Where did I go wrong?,” “I pushed them too hard.” and “If we hadn’t gotten divorced…” are just a few on the list of self-recriminations. But parents need to remind themselves that, while they have great influence over their children’s
lives, they do not personally create every aspect of their children’s being, as a sculptor carves a statue.
From their earliest years, children are shaped by an assortment of outside influences beyond the control of parents. Even children and
teenagers have to bear responsibility for their actions.
American Association of Suicidology
Jeffrey Jackson, A Handbook for Coping with Suicide Grief
Find strategies, self-care tips, and helpful resources for healing
Grieving is a deeply personal journey, and practicing self-care is crucial to support your emotional well-being. Self-care can include
engaging in activities that bring you comfort, such as journaling your thoughts and feelings, exercising to release endorphins, ensuring you maintain a balanced diet, or simply allowing yourself time to rest and recharge; connecting with supportive friends or family members, seeking professional help if needed, and participating in mindfulness practices like meditation can also help you navigate through this challenging time.
If Love Could Have Saved Him, He Would Have Lived Forever

Multiple Suicide Attempts Brought Despair: I Couldn’t Make My Son Want to Stay
I Couldn’t Save My Son
I struggle still moving from January through June because Dylan attempted suicide 4 times: January, February, March, and May. He died by suicide in June.
Dealing with guilt and self-blame meant coming to terms with my limitations. The post. Self-Blame and Guilt:I Couldn’t Save My Son offers understanding and compassion for parents who have lost a child to suicide.
Helpless in the Wake of So Much Pain: I Couldn’t Heal My Son’s Depression
Each suicide attempt was worse than the last: an endless stream of critical care units; emergency rooms; psych wards; antidepressants; counseling; treatment centers; lock-down units; and suicide watches.
I was filled with infinite love for my son as well as the madness of not being able to make my son want to live.
If love could have saved Dylan, he would be here now.
If Love Could Have Saved Him, He Would Have Lived Forever
If love could have saved him, Dylan would have lived forever. And actually, because I have faith and hope in seeing Dylan again, in being able to spend forever with him, I believe Dylan does live on, just not here in this realm where I can see, touch, hear, feel him–his love, his laugh, his quick wit, his beautiful original music.
Dylan was here 19 years, 3 months, and 6 days, and I am gradually growing to understand I will never know why he couldn’t stay.
I hear Dylan (in my mind) say, “I had to go.”
I Love You Too
I saw Dylan for the last time on Sunday, June 24th, 2012 when I brought him what he had asked me to get for him–Taco Bell, a Volcano burrito with extra fire sauce.
I told Dylan I loved him, stood up on my tip-toes to hug him, and Dylan said, “I love you, too.” These are my son’s last words to me.
That My Love Be With You Always
I have struggled, I struggle still, but I am at my best and most at peace when I realize Dylan really did–and still does–love me deeply.


Resources and Support
Helpful Resources for Navigating Guilt and Self-Blame in Grief
These Helpful Resources for Navigating Guilt and Self-Blame in Grief offer invaluable support for parents grappling with the profound grief of losing a child to suicide. Rich in compassion and understanding, they provide personal narratives, expert insights on grief, and essential strategies for healing.

Navigating Grief After Losing a Child to Suicide: Essential Resources
Navigating Grief After Losing a Child to Suicide: Essential Resources provides a compassionate guide to support parents through the pain of losing a child to suicide. It explores the journey of grief, the importance of support networks, and self-care during this difficult time. The guide offers suggestions for honoring a child’s memory, creating a meaningful legacy to provide solace amidst heartache.

Coping with Guilt After Losing a Child to Suicide
Coping with Guilt After Losing a Child to Suicide is a heartfelt exploration of the overwhelming emotions that parents face after the tragic loss of a child to suicide. It delicately unravels the deep feelings of grief, guilt, and despair that can engulf those grappling with such an unimaginable sorrow. Through intimate personal stories and touching quotes, it provides a compassionate perspective that aims to comfort and support parents on their difficult healing journey.

Self-Blame and Guilt: I Couldn’t Save My Son
Self Blame and Guilt: I Couldn’t Save My Son is a deeply emotional narrative that explores feelings of self-blame and guilt after the loss of a son. This poignant story guides readers through the tumultuous emotions parents face, sharing the author’s deep sorrow and questioning what could have been done differently. It emphasizes the need for support and understanding during the arduous healing journey.

“That All of Love Could Sweep Time Back”: Poem on Guilt in Grief
“That All of Love Could Sweep Time Back”: Poem on Guilt in Grief is a powerful poem that reflects the overwhelming “could’ve, should’ve, would’ve” guilt parents experience after losing a child to suicide. The poetic language directly addresses the haunting “What If?” and “Why Didn’t I See?” questions that plague those left behind, emphasizing the helplessness and regret that linger after such a tragic loss. The poem serves as a conduit for healing and self-forgiveness, exploring the possibility of moving beyond guilt and embracing acceptance, allowing love to shine through even the darkest of times.

Haunted by Guilt in Grief Poem: “Still from Sky I’m Falling”
Haunted by Guilt in Grief Poem: “Still from Sky I’m Falling” is a poignant poem that captures the intense emotions of grief and guilt after losing a child to suicide. The verses convey heartbreak and the struggle to find solace, using nature as a symbol for the grief journey. Vivid imagery of hawks circling above parallels feelings of despair, evoking a sense of helplessness in processing pain. Every line resonates with the weight of memories and the ache of loss, inviting readers to reflect on their own experiences with grief.

Support, Resources, and A Note from the Author
ABOUT RESOURCES AND SUPPORT: Valuable support and resources contribute significantly to a comprehensive portrayal of the author’s journey. These materials not only help shed light on the background and themes explored in the work but also foster a deeper understanding of the artistic process. They enable readers to connect with the essence of the author’s experiences and motivations more profoundly.
Deep Insights on the Challenges of Grief
Discover thought-provoking articles from My Forever Son blog that delve into the profound intricacies of understanding the unique aspects of suicide grief, particularly in connection with the devastating loss of a child to suicide. These articles offer invaluable insights into the emotional turmoil and complex feelings that arise in the wake of such an unimaginable tragedy. By exploring personal stories, expert opinions, and coping strategies, the blog aims to provide a compassionate space for parents and loved ones navigating their grief.

Understanding the Unique Aspects of Suicide Grief
Understanding the Unique Aspects of Suicide Grief is a beautifully written and profoundly personal piece that gently explores the unique hurdles of dealing with the grief that follows a suicide. The author shares her heartfelt emotional journey, illustrating how deeply grief has woven itself into the fabric of her life. By incorporating personal stories, expert insights, and supportive resources, this post not only provides authenticity but also offers a comforting hand to those who may be navigating similar paths of loss and sorrow.

Navigating Grief After Losing a Child to Suicide: Essential Resources
Navigating Grief After Losing a Child to Suicide: Essential Resources offers a deeply heartfelt and personal journey of a mother grappling with the unimaginable heartache of losing her son to suicide. Through her candid reflections and poignant stories, she extends not only profound insights but also a comforting sense of solidarity for those who may be navigating similar heart-wrenching experiences. Her narrative dives into the complexities of grief—covering the overwhelming emotions of sorrow, anger, and confusion that often accompany such a devastating loss. Alongside her raw and honest accounts, she shares valuable coping strategies and highlights the importance of community support, encouraging other bereaved parents to find solace in shared experiences.

Understanding Suicide: Why the Pain Matters
Understanding Suicide: Why the Pain Matters offers a heartfelt exploration of the intricate issues surrounding suicide. It sheds light on crucial facts, common misconceptions, and important statistics that are often overlooked in public discourse. Compassionate videos that draw on personal stories and expert insights are featured. This is an excellent resource for understanding suicide, which is neither a “choice” nor “selfish.”

Understanding Suicide: It’s Not a Choice
Understanding Suicide: It’s Not a Choice is a compassionate article that explores the concept of “choice” in the heartbreaking context of a child’s suicide. It emphasizes the complexity of suicide, reminding us that various factors, such as mental health issues and social pressures, contribute to this devastating outcome. The piece encourages readers to recognize the importance of empathy and support for affected families while challenging societal misconceptions surrounding suicide. Through expert insights, it serves as a vital resource for those grieving or seeking to understand the influences behind such a loss, advocating for awareness and open dialogues on mental health among children and adolescents.

When Love Isn’t Enough: “Ode to Suicide: That We Might Understand”
When Love Isn’t Enough: “Ode to Suicide: That We Might Understand”
When Love Isn’t Enough: “Ode to Suicide: That We Might Understand” is a poignant exploration of the complexities surrounding the topic of suicide, intricately challenging the prevalent notion that suicide is simply a choice made by individuals in despair. Beth Brown, the author of the powerful treatise, “Ode to Suicide: That We Might Understand,” delves deep into the emotional and psychological dimensions of this tragic phenomenon, emphasizing the inevitability of death for all, regardless of the circumstances or causes that may lead one to that final resolution. Her poetic reflections and deep discussions including current research on understanding suicide converge to illustrate why and When Love is Not Enough.

Healing Through Poetry: Grieving a Child’s Loss to Suicide
Healing Through Poetry: Grieving a Child’s Loss to Suicide explores the challenging journey of healing after the heartbreaking loss of a child to suicide. Heartfelt poems and evocative visuals create a soothing experience, inviting readers to connect with the deep emotions in each verse. This blend of poetry and photography from the author’s gardens fosters an emotional bond, offering comfort to those with similar experiences while encouraging them to acknowledge their pain, cherish memories, and seek healing amid despair.
He Left Too Soon
He left too soon—
Lifting life from June,
Casting torrents of rain
His absence—
Breath of pain whose exhale can only bring
Heart heaving, this beating of tears
Breaking loose—
All hell in earth's upturned rupture,
Death shoveling shadows over me
As I bend to lay flowers on his name—
Inscribed and bronzed,
A permanence come to stay
My love laced now with pain—
Standing over my son's grave,
Death's Derecho come to stay in my shadow.
Beth Brown, copyright 2021, "He Left Too Soon" Poem: A Mother's Deep Sorrow
Explore the compelling tale that inspired the poem, "He Left too Soon," here: Derecho: A Storm Out of Nowhere - Grief Poem "He Left Too Soon"
“He Left Too Soon”: A Mother’s Deep Sorrow
“He Left Too Soon” Poem: A Mother’s Deep Sorrow “He Left Too Soon” Poem: A Mother’s Deep Sorrow is a poignant poem that bravely addresses the profound sorrow and anguish that comes with losing a beloved child to suicide. The poem aims to express the deep and complex emotions of grief, loss, and yearning, capturing the overwhelming turmoil that families face during such an unimaginable tragedy. The inspiration for the poem, “He Left Too Soon,” delves into the profound depths of early, acute grief following the heartbreaking loss of my son to suicide. This piece encapsulates themes of grief, mourning, remembrance, and the enduring love that persists even in the face of overwhelming sorrow.

Derecho: A Storm Out of Nowhere–Grief Poem: “He Left Too Soon”
Derecho: A Storm Out of Nowhere–Grief Poem: “He Left Too Soon” skillfully intertwines the sorrow stemming from the loss of her son to suicide with the tumult wrought by a powerful Derecho storm that occurred on the day of his funeral. Included in her publication, Bury My Heart: 19 Poems for Grief and Healing After Losing a Child to Suicide, the poem that was inspired by the Derecho, “He Left Too Soon,” explores the profound grief and emotional turmoil she experienced. Through her eloquent writing, Brown aspires to offer solace to those enduring similar tragedies, thereby shedding light on the fragility of life and the enduring strength of love amidst sorrow.

“On Baby’s Breath and Angel Wings”: Grieving a Child’s Suicide
“On Baby’s Breath and Angel Wings” Poem: Grieving a Child’s Suicide explores the profound grief of losing a child to suicide. The author, Beth Brown, reflects on the painful memories of her son Dylan’s life, his love for music, and the helplessness she felt in his final days. The poem “On Baby’s Breath and Angel Wings” juxtaposes the beauty of Dylan’s childhood memories with the devastating reality of his tragic end.
Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon (excerpt)
But oh my son, if I’d only known
I’d have reached right in to your dark night’s soul–
I would have held on,
I would have clutched you,
I would have never let you go
But you told me
“Mom I love you”
Oh my child, if I’d only known.
Beth Brown, excerpt from "Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon": A Poem About Losing a Child to Suicide
“Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon”: A Poem About Losing My Son to Suicide
“Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon”: A Poem About Losing My Son to Suicide captures the profound sorrow of losing a child to suicide. Through vivid imagery, it honors the enduring love between parent and child, providing solace and hope for reunion. The poem is a poignant tribute to Brown’s son, Dylan, where the author remembers her son’s growing-up years, both cherished memories and moments where “If I’d Only Known” echo in her refrain. A powerful poem for parents who have lost a child to suicide.

The Emotional Depth of “Beat Still My Heart”: A Powerful Elegy
The Emotional Depth of ‘Beat Still My Heart’: A Powerful Elegy explores the deep emotional journey of losing a child to suicide. This poignant reflection through poetry captures the sorrow and despair of such a loss, blending personal experiences with universal themes of love and remembrance.The author navigates grief with verses that resonate, inviting readers to confront raw emotions and unanswered questions. Vivid imagery of a shipwreck in a storm encapsulates the unbearable loss, making the elegy a powerful tribute to a tragic experience.

“Sorrow Buried in Love”: A Poem for Grieving Parents
“Sorrow Buried in Love”: A Poem for Grieving Parents explores the heart-wrenching journey of a parent grappling with the profound loss of a child to suicide. While friends and family often offer encouragement towards healing, those who have walked this painful path understand how overwhelming these expectations can be. Moving forward is not just about progressing in life; it also involves cherishing and carrying our child’s memory within us, honoring their presence in all we do.

“Bury My Heart”: A Grief Poem of Unimaginable Loss
Bury My Heart: A Grief Poem of Unimaginable Loss is a poignant poem that captures the deep sorrow of losing a child, an agonizing experience that many parents fear but few can truly comprehend until faced with such a heartbreaking reality. It weaves themes of grief, hope, and healing into a tapestry of emotions, allowing readers to navigate their own journeys of despair and recovery. The poem provides not only an outlet for those grappling with this unimaginable pain but also serves as a powerful reminder that they are not alone in their struggles.

“He Left Too Soon” Poem: A Mother’s Deep Sorrow
“He Left Too Soon” Poem: A Mother’s Deep Sorrow is a deeply moving poem that captures the profound feelings of early, acute grief that follow the unimaginable loss of a child to the heartbreaking tragedy of suicide. The evocative verses resonate with the themes of grief, mourning, and loss, portraying the complex emotions that envelop a mother’s heart in such a profoundly difficult time.

Haunted by Guilt in Grief Poem: “Still from Sky I’m Falling”
Haunted by Guilt in Grief Poem: “Still from Sky I’m Falling“ shares a profoundly personal journey through the heart-wrenching experience of grief and guilt following the tragic loss of a child to suicide, featuring the poignant poem “Still from Sky I’m Falling.” Interlacing the deep sorrow of loss with the haunting feelings of remorse, the author creates a poem deep with heartfelt reflections that offer a glimpse into the overwhelming emotional struggle and the fragile path towards healing that follow such an unimaginable tragedy.

“Shaped by Love and This Grief Come to Stay”: A Poem on Suicide Loss
“Shaped by Love and This Grief Come to Stay”: A Poem on Suicide Loss examines the profound connection between love and grief experienced after the heartbreaking loss of her son to suicide. The poem beautifully conveys the author’s steadfast commitment to honor her journey of grief, affirming her right to experience her emotions fully and illustrating the deep intertwining of love and sorrow. Through evocative imagery, “Shaped by Love and This Grief Come to Stay” poignantly expresses the complicated feelings that accompany such a significant and painful loss.
If only a mother’s love could have saved you,
Could have heard in the dark your heart’s cry,
She could have saved you yet both together,
Falling stars in a moonless sky.
Beth Brown, “If Only a Mother’s Love Could Have Saved You”: A Poem on Grieving a Child's Suicide, My Forever Son
“If Only a Mother’s Love Could Have Saved You”: Powerful Poem
If Only a Mother’s Love Could Have Saved You: Powerful Poem explores the deep emotional pain of losing a child to suicide. The author conveys their experience through poignant verses that depict the raw essence of grief, reflecting the complex emotions of sorrow and longing. The heartfelt language serves as a reminder of enduring love in the face of unimaginable loss.

When Love Isn’t Enough: “Ode to Suicide: That We Might Understand”
When Love Isn’t Enough: “Ode to Suicide: That We Might Understand” explores the complexities of suicide and includes a compassionate treatise written by the author, “Ode to Suicide: That We Might Understand,” challenging the notion that it is a choice. The treatise, “Ode to Suicide: That We Might Understand,” emphasizes the inevitability of death, regardless of the cause, and the limitations of love in preventing it. The author of the treatise “Ode to Suicide: That We Might Understand” and this article, “When Love Isn’t Enough,” Beth Brown shares her personal journey of grief after losing her son to suicide, finding solace in writing and nature photography.
Meet the Author, Beth Brown

Introduction
Beth Brown is an author and former literature teacher whose writing is shaped by the loss of her son Dylan to suicide at age 20. Through poetry and blogging, she found a way to navigate profound grief, rediscover her voice, and connect with others facing similar loss. Her collection, “Bury My Heart: 19 Poems for Grief and Healing After Losing a Child to Suicide,” offers comfort and hope to those mourning a loved one. [Meet the Author | Word]
Journey of Healing
Thirteen years ago, Beth Brown’s life was forever changed by the loss of her only child, Dylan. The pain of his absence brought profound changes to her identity and daily life. Grief became all-consuming, but through writing, she began to find a path forward.
“On baby’s breath and angel wings,
You bring me love yet still,”
— from “On Baby’s Breath and Angel Wings” [Meet the Author | Word]
“Weeping even in my sleep, I found everything in my life had changed.” [Meet the Author | Word]
Finding Sanctuary in Writing
Blogging and poetry became Beth Brown’s sanctuary—a place where pain and love could coexist. Her poems and reflections capture the ache of loss and the enduring power of love.
“Oh lay me down to sleep tonight
In dreams where life goes on,
Where twirling, time and laughter gaze, adoringly in love.”
— from “On Baby’s Breath and Angel Wings”
“I carry both ache and love, for they both are my love for my son.”e Author | Word]
“Each moment—a warm cup of tea, the rustle of leaves—reminds me of the love that still lives within me.”
Rediscovering Voice
Through poetry, Beth Brown rediscovered her voice, even as it was irrevocably transformed by loss. Her words trace the gradual journey of learning to live with both grief and love.
“Down, down, down you faster fall
Than I can spread my wings,
To catch you, hold you, love you back
To perch where you can sing.”
— from “On Baby’s Breath and Angel Wings” [Meet the Author | Word]
“Still from sky I’m falling,
Grief in guilt,
Hawks hunting baby birds
While the mother searches for food.”
— from “Still From Sky I’m Falling” [Meet the Author | Word]
“I will seek until I find you,
In the quiet corners of memory,
Where laughter lingers and love remains.”
— from “I Will Seek Until I Find You”
Poetry Collection
Beth Brown’s poetry collection, “Bury My Heart: 19 Poems for Grief and Healing After Losing a Child to Suicide,” explores the profound journey of healing after the heartbreaking loss of a child to suicide. The collection includes poems such as:
- “I Will Seek Until I Find You”
- “So Swish to Sway”
- “Bury My Heart”
- “Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon”
- “If Only a Mother’s Love Could Have Saved You” [Meet the Author | Word]
Her poetry is available on Amazon Kindle and through her blog, https://myforeverson.com/. [Meet the Author | Word]
Resources for Grieving Parents
Navigating grief after losing a child to suicide is an overwhelming journey. Beth Brown offers compassionate guidance and essential resources for parents coping with loss:
Support Groups & Communities
- The Compassionate Friends: https://www.compassionatefriends.org/ [Meet the Author | Word]
- Alliance of Hope for Suicide Loss Survivors: https://allianceofhope.org/ [Meet the Author | Word]
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: https://afsp.org/ [Meet the Author | Word]
Books & Reading
- “Bury My Heart: 19 Poems for Grief and Healing After Losing a Child to Suicide” by Beth Brown [Meet the Author | Word]
- “My Forever Son: Journey from Grief to Healing” by Beth Brown [Meet the Author | Word]
- “Surviving the First Year After Suicide Loss” (blog essays) [Meet the Author | Word]
Online Resources
- https://myforeverson.com/blog-2/ [Meet the Author | Word]
- https://www.griefhealingdiscussiongroups.com/ [Meet the Author | Word]
- https://988lifeline.org/ (Call or text 988) [Meet the Author | Word]
Practical Coping Strategies
- Journaling and creative writing [Meet the Author | Word]
- Connecting with nature [Meet the Author | Word]
- Honoring your child’s memory through rituals or creative projects [Meet the Author | Word]
- Seeking professional counseling or therapy [Meet the Author | Word]
Self-Care Tips
- Allow yourself to grieve in your own time [Meet the Author | Word]
- Reach out for support when needed [Meet the Author | Word]
- Practice gentle self-care (rest, nutrition, movement) [Meet the Author | Word]
- Remember: You are not alone [Meet the Author | Word]
Conclusion
Beth Brown’s journey through grief is a testament to the enduring power of love and the possibility of healing. Through poetry, storytelling, and compassionate outreach, she offers hope and connection to others walking the path of loss. Her words remind us that even in the deepest sorrow, moments of comfort and renewal can be found. [Meet the Author | Word]
About the Author
Beth Brown is a writer, educator, and bereaved mother who shares her journey of healing after losing her only son, Dylan, to suicide. Through poetry, essays, and her blog My Forever Son, Beth offers comfort and hope to others navigating grief, honoring the enduring bond between parent and child and celebrating the small joys that illuminate the path toward healing.
“I carry both ache and love, for they both are my love for my son.”
“And so I continue to write, to heal, and to love—my heart unbroken, forever carrying my son with me in this wilderness of life.”
Getting to Know the Heart Behind the Words
A Heart Unbroken: The Journey of Healing
Thirteen years ago, a heart-wrenching tragedy shattered my life when I lost my only son, Dylan, to suicide. He had just turned 20.
“Grief exhausted all of me. Who I was went away, or at least lived suspended from the depths of what seemed bottomless grief.”
Weeping Even in My Sleep
Early grief made life impossible. Tears everywhere.
“I lived, breathed, slept, and wept grief. Only grief. Despair. Darkness. My grief enveloped me.”
My Sanctuary and Saving Grace
Blogging became my sanctuary—a place where pain and love could coexist.
“My pain and love will always coexist for my son.”
Discovering My Voice Once More
Through writing, I rediscovered my voice and learned to navigate life with both grief and love.
“Though the pain of losing Dylan remained, I learned to celebrate his life through memories and stories told.”
Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon
Grief is a journey marked by memories, longing, and the enduring bond between parent and child. “Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon” was written in the wake of losing my beloved son, Dylan, to suicide. Through celestial imagery and heartfelt reflection, this poem captures the ache of loss, the hope for reunion, and the healing power of love that persists beyond absence. I share these words to honor Dylan’s spirit and to offer comfort to others walking the path of grief.
Once upon a blue-sky moon,
We sailed our ships in your bedroom,
With stars for light, we fled the dark
But the lightning flashed,
And the blue sky arced.
You tucked away your childhood dreams
On wings that soared beyond infinity,
Your love in me and me in you,
But out of reach, beyond what I could do.
… (continue poem as above, using stanza breaks for clarity) …
Reflections on Love, Loss, and Remembrance
“My pain will always be part of my love for my son. And my love for my son will always be part of my pain.”
I honor Dylan through rituals—apple picking, music, and remembering the small joys we shared.
Journey of Healing
Thirteen years ago, Beth Brown’s life was forever changed by the loss of her only child, Dylan. The pain of his absence brought profound changes to her identity and daily life. Grief became all-consuming, but through writing, she began to find a path forward.
“On baby’s breath and angel wings,
You bring me love yet still,”
— from “On Baby’s Breath and Angel Wings” [Document | Word]
Finding Sanctuary in Writing
Blogging and poetry became Beth Brown’s sanctuary—a place where pain and love could coexist. Her poems and reflections capture the ache of loss and the enduring power of love.
“Oh lay me down to sleep tonight
In dreams where life goes on,
Where twirling, time and laughter gaze, adoringly in love.”
— from “On Baby’s Breath and Angel Wings” [Document | Word]
“I will seek until I find you,
In the quiet corners of memory,
Where laughter lingers and love remains.”
— from “I Will Seek Until I Find You” [DOWNLOAD-3…Heart22(7) | Word]
Rediscovering Voice
Through poetry, Beth Brown rediscovered her voice, even as it was irrevocably transformed by loss. Her words trace the gradual journey of learning to live with both grief and love.
“Down, down, down you faster fall
Than I can spread my wings,
To catch you, hold you, love you back
To perch where you can sing.”
— from “On Baby’s Breath and Angel Wings” [Document | Word]
“Still from sky I’m falling,
Grief in guilt,
Hawks hunting baby birds
While the mother searches for food.”
— from “Still From Sky I’m Falling” [Bury My He…Blog Stuff | Word]
Poetry Collection
’s poetry collection, “Bury My Heart: 19 Poems for Grief and Healing After Losing a Child to Suicide,” explores the profound journey of healing after the heartbreaking loss of a child to suicide. The collection includes poems such as:
- “I Will Seek Until I Find You”
- “So Swish to Sway”
- “Bury My Heart”
- “Once Upon a Blue-Sky Moon”
- “If Only a Mother’s Love Could Have Saved You” [PAPERBACK…to Suicide | Word], [Losing My…for Dylan | Word], [FINAL WORD…for Dylan | Word], [Losing My…Docx Word | Word], [Losing My…Docx Word | Word], [Losing My…Docx Word | Word], [FINAL WORD…for Dylan | PDF], [FINAL WORD…for Dylan | Word], [PDF VERSIO…for Dylan | PDF]
Her poetry is available on Amazon Kindle and through her blog, https://myforeverson.com/. [homepage t…orever son | Word]
Resources for Grieving Parents
Navigating grief after losing a child to suicide is an overwhelming journey. Beth Brown offers compassionate guidance and essential resources for parents coping with loss: [Compassion…ng Parents | Word], [Compassion…ng Parents | Word]
Support Groups & Communities
- The Compassionate Friends (https://www.compassionatefriends.org/)
- Alliance of Hope for Suicide Loss Survivors (https://allianceofhope.org/)
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (https://afsp.org/)
Books & Reading
- “Bury My Heart: 19 Poems for Grief and Healing After Losing a Child to Suicide” by Beth Brown
- “My Forever Son: Journey from Grief to Healing” by Beth Brown [My Forever…to Healing | Word]
- “Surviving the First Year After Suicide Loss” (blog essays) [Paperback…first year | Word]
Online Resources
- https://myforeverson.com/blog-2/ [homepage t…orever son | Word]
- https://www.griefhealingdiscussiongroups.com/
- https://988lifeline.org/ (Call or text 988)
Practical Coping Strategies
- Journaling and creative writing
- Connecting with nature
- Honoring your child’s memory through rituals or creative projects
- Seeking professional counseling or therapy
Self-Care Tips
- Allow yourself to grieve in your own time
- Reach out for support when needed
- Practice gentle self-care (rest, nutrition, movement)
- Remember: You are not alone
Conclusion
Beth Brown’s journey through grief is a testament to the enduring power of love and the possibility of healing. Through poetry, storytelling, and compassionate outreach, she offers hope and connection to others walking the path of loss. Her words remind us that even in the deepest sorrow, moments of comfort and renewal can be found.
Getting to Know the Heart Behind the Words
A Heart Unbroken: The Journey of Healing
Thirteen years ago, a heart-wrenching tragedy shattered the life of a mother when she lost her only son, Dylan, to suicide. I am that mother, and my beloved son had just turned 20 years old.
I loved my son fiercely, but love was not enough to save Dylan from his struggles with depression.
On an academic scholarship at a prestigious university, Dylan had continued his studies in art and music, choosing to major in Digital Media. I loved my son fiercely, but love was not enough to save Dylan from his struggles with depression.
Weeping Even in My Sleep
- Grief exhausted all of me. Who I was went away, or at least lived suspended from the depths of what seemed bottomless grief. In early grief (for me the first three years after losing Dylan), my life felt impossible.
- Tears everywhere. Weeping even in my sleep. Unable to function in my professional life, I found everything in my life had changed. I couldn’t meet the challenges of everyday life. I was consumed with grief and mourning.
- I knew nothing about suicide, only what I’d read about or what I’d seen in movies. I began to search for books and resources. I knew I needed support; I just didn’t know where to turn.
My Sanctuary and Saving Grace
- I began blogging in 2015. My sanctuary and saving grace, writing/blogging was a place where pain and love could coexist. Little did I know that as grief settled in for the long haul, my pain and love will always coexist for my son.
- I carry both ache and love, for they both are my love for my son. The pages of my blog were extended journal entries, filled with original poems, songs, and narratives from that deepest place of ache and love, my grief and my healing.
- Before losing my son, I had thrived as a writing and literature teacher, inspiring students with the power of words and the strength of their voice. Now my own story was unfolding, filled with sorrow and strength, ache and love.
Discovering My Voice Once More
- Through my writing, I discovered my voice once more; although irrevocably transformed by the profound loss I experienced, my words captured the gradual journey of learning to navigate life with both grief and love.
- As the seasons changed, so did I, embracing healing in its many forms, writing poems, songs, reflections, stories, and articles.
- Though the pain of losing Dylan remained, I learned to celebrate his life through memories and stories told. I found joy in small things—a warm cup of tea, the rustle of leaves, a good book—each moment a reminder of the love that still lived within me.
I found joy in small things—a warm cup of tea, the rustle of leaves, a good book—each moment a reminder of the love that still lived within me.
- And so I continue to write, to heal, and to love—my heart unbroken, forever carrying my son with me in this wilderness of life.
Bury My Heart: 19 Poems for Grief and Healing After Losing a Child to Suicide
I’ve created a poignant collection of poems, Bury My Heart: 19 Poems for Grief and Healing After Losing a Child to Suicide, that explores the profound journey of healing after the heartbreaking loss of a child to suicide. This collection is now available on Amazon Kindle, offering heartfelt comfort and solace for those navigating their grief.
The Story of My Forever Son

What Happened? The Backstory to My Forever Son: A Mother’s Grief
I started this blog, My Forever Son: Healing After Losing a Child to Suicide in 2015, three years into my journey of grief. You can read more about what happened here: The Backstory to My Forever Son: A Mother’s Grief recounts the author’s harrowing experience of losing her son to suicide. Her story highlights her grief, guilt, and the healing power of writing, especially through works like the “If Earth Were Sky (And Sky Above)” poem: reflections on love and loss. The blog “My Forever Son” came about as a way for the author to work through this devastating grief that follows the loss of a child to suicide. My Forever Son blog serves as a platform for sharing experiences and finding healing and solace in community.

Find Hope Here: Poetic Reflections on Grief and Healing
Find Hope Here: Poetic Reflections on Grief and Healing offers a heartfelt collection of poems that deeply resonate with the profound sorrow of parents who have experienced the unimaginable pain of losing a child to suicide. These poignant verses navigate the intense emotions of this tragic loss, beautifully capturing the stages of grief while gently guiding readers towards hope and healing on their journey through grief.

The Magnolia Tree: A Symbol of Grief and Resilience
The Magnolia Tree: A Symbol of Grief and Resilience, explores the author’s journey of grief through the metaphor of a Magnolia tree’s cyclical seasons. The author uses photography to illustrate the parallels between nature’s cycles and the seasons of grief, finding hope and healing in writing, gardening, and nature’s resilience. The Magnolia tree’s resilience symbolizes renewal and the possibility of finding joy again despite profound heartbreak. After reflections on nature’s resilience, the author reflects on grief and healing (echoes of joy and shadows of loss) after losing her son to suicide.

Navigating Grief After Losing a Child to Suicide: Essential Resources
Navigating Grief After Losing a Child to Suicide: Essential Resources offers an extensive collection of resources aimed at helping parents understand the complexities of suicide to help with their profound grief. This invaluable guide not only provides insights but also connects parents with supportive communities, fostering a sense of belonging and emphasizing gentle pathways to hope and healing during such a heartbreaking time.

Navigating Guilt in Grief: A Parent’s Guide
Navigating Guilt in Grief: A Parent’s Guide offers a gentle and understanding perspective on the complex emotions that emerge after the devastating loss of a loved one through suicide, particularly from the vantage point of parents.This guide thoughtfully addresses the overwhelming and often contradictory feelings of grief, guilt, and sorrow that can envelop parents navigating such profound heartache.

Healing After Losing a Child to Suicide: A Guide for Parents
Healing After Losing a Child to Suicide: A Guide for Parents gently supports parents navigating the profound sorrow of losing a child to suicide. This heartfelt article acknowledges the intense grief that such a tragedy brings and offers compassionate guidance on finding a way forward. The healing strategies shared emphasize self-care and the importance of seeking professional help, while inviting parents to connect with others who understand their pain.

Carrying Ache and Love: Healing Longterm Grief in Suicide Loss
I have shared my grief journey on this blog, My Forever Son, reflecting on those painful early years and sharing glimmers of hope along the way. Through sleepless nights and tears, I found that my deep love for my son sustains me through his absence.
Carrying both ache and love after losing my son to suicide has been the crux of my grief journey these past 12 years. I share insights into healing from deep grief in the article, Carrying Ache and Love: Healing Longterm Grief in Suicide Loss, where ache for his absence and love for my son walk together in my heart. Holding hands, one is never without the other, but ache and love have carried me—and carry me still.

When Love Isn’t Enough: “Ode to Suicide: That We Might Understand”
When Love Isn’t Enough: “Ode to Suicide: That We Might Understand,”explores the complexities of suicide and includes a compassionate treatise written by the author, “Ode to Suicide: That We Might Understand,” challenging the notion that it is a choice. The treatise, “Ode to Suicide: That We Might Understand,” emphasizes the inevitability of death, regardless of the cause, and the limitations of love in preventing it. The author of the treatise “Ode to Suicide: That We Might Understand” and this article, “When Love Isn’t Enough,” Beth Brown shares her personal journey of grief after losing her son to suicide, finding solace in writing and nature photography.
Meet Dylan, My Forever Son

Twenty Years of Love: Dylan
“Twenty Years of Love: Dylan” offers a poignant exploration of grief and loss, weaving together cherished memories and reflections on Dylan’s life. The emotional resonance of this piece is deeply felt, beautifully portraying both the love and sorrow that the author carries in their heart. The thoughtful inclusion of links to further readings about Dylan and resources for support is a compassionate touch that adds immense value to those who may be navigating similar journeys.

Walking Through Shadows: Surviving the Unthinkable Loss of a Child to Suicide
Walking through Shadows: Surviving the Unthinkable Loss of a Child to Suicide offers a deeply moving and heartfelt narrative that illuminates the unimaginable pain of losing a child to suicide. The personal stories shared create a sincere and unfiltered glimpse into the heavy journey of grief and the gradual path toward healing. Through poignant reflections and a poetic exploration on grief, the author navigates the chaotic emotions that accompany such a catastrophic event, revealing both the struggles and the moments of unexpected solace that can emerge even in the darkest times.

I Want It All Back: Remembering Dylan, My Forever Son
I Want It All Back: Remembering Dylan, My Forever Son lovingly encapsulates the profound heartache and cherished memories tied to the author’s beloved son, Dylan. Through heartfelt imagery and poignant personal stories, it invites readers to share in an emotional journey that resonates deeply, fostering a compassionate understanding of loss and love.

I Want to Believe: Searching for Hope After Losing My Son to Suicide
I Want to Believe: Searching for Hope After Losing My Son to Suicide is a heartfelt collection of personal reflections and cherished memories that navigates the profound journey of grief and hope following the heartbreaking loss of a son to suicide. The rawness of the emotions is deeply felt, drawing readers into a shared space of empathy. Through vivid descriptions and nostalgic elements, the work evokes a sense of connection and understanding, while the stunning images inspire hope and healing amidst the sorrow.

Dylan: Forever Loved and Remembered in Our Hearts
Dylan: Forever Loved and Remembered in Our Hearts invites readers into the heart/h-wrenching yet beautifully profound journey of a mother’s grief after the devastating loss of her beloved 20-year-old son, Dylan, who tragically died by suicide. Through a heartfelt collection of original poems and personal reflections, she courageously shares the painful complexities of her sorrow, the small moments of hope that emerged, and her ongoing path toward healing.
Heartfelt Stories and Poems of Love and Loss

“On Baby’s Breath and Angel Wings” Poem: Grieving a Child’s Suicide
“On Baby’s Breath and Angel Wings” Poem: Grieving a Child’s Suicide delves into the deep, heart-wrenching sorrow of losing a child to suicide. This poignant piece not only articulates the immense pain of such a loss but also provides vital resources to navigate the challenging journey of grief. With tender personal reflections and thoughtful coping strategies, the post and poem, “On Baby’s Breath and Angel Wings” serves as a compassionate companion for those who are enduring similar heartaches.

A Grandmother’s Love Held Together the Family Table
A Grandmother’s Love Held Together the Family Table chronicles a family’s journey through the loss of their beloved son, Dylan. This tragedy alters their connections, turning a joyful gathering space into one of reflection. The narrative captures the struggle between despair and acceptance, underscoring love’s enduring power amidst heartache. In honoring Dylan’s memory, they find unexpected joy in their grief, illustrating the resilience of the human spirit in the face of loss.

Grandparents’ Double Grief: Losing a Grandchild to Suicide
Grandparents’ Double Grief: Losing a Grandchild to Suicide gently delves into the profound and heart-wrenching sorrow experienced by grandparents who endure the unimaginable loss of their grandchild. This painful journey envelops them in a dual mourning, as they grieve not only the precious life that is gone but also the shattered dreams and cherished memories that will sorrowfully remain unrealized for their own child, the grieving parent.

Memorial Day: A Mother’s Reflection on Loss, Love, and Unbearable Tragedy
Memorial Day: A Mother’s Reflection on Loss, Love, and Unbearable Tragedy beautifully captures the deep sorrow and unwavering love a mother feels for her son. The author bravely shares her heartfelt journey, navigating the immense pain and heartbreak tied to her son’s fourth suicide attempt on Memorial Day. Through her poignant narrative, she reveals the complex layers of a mother’s grief, intricately woven with fleeting moments of hope that resonate powerfully with anyone who is facing loss.

“Shaped by Love and This Grief Come to Stay”: A Poem on Suicide Loss
“Shaped by Love and This Grief Come to Stay” A Poem on Suicide Loss explores the profound sorrow a parent endures after losing a child to suicide. It addresses themes of grief and guilt, highlighting the heavy shadow such a tragedy casts on life. This poignant narrative captures a parent’s transformative journey in the wake of their child’s absence, revealing emotions of shame while confronting societal stigma surrounding suicide. With compassion and insight, the poem resonates with anyone who has faced similar heart-wrenching experiences.

11 Years After Suicide Loss: I Still Want to Believe
11 Years After Suicide Loss: I Still Want to Believe powerfully conveys the depths of my unyielding grief and a relentless yearning for my beloved son, Dylan, whose vibrant spirit was tragically stolen by suicide eleven heart-wrenching years ago at merely twenty. As my only child, his absence has carved an immense void in my soul, reshaping every facet of my life while perpetually stirring the cherished memories of the beautiful moments we once savored together.

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21 replies on “The Emotional Depth of ‘Beat Still My Heart’: A Powerful Elegy”
Love your posts and really needed to read some of these
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