“I Grieve” by Peter Gabriel


I’ve often found that music often captures my emotions better than my ability to articulate them.  Like many people I am still in shock and a bit numb by what happened in Newton, CT.  Sadly, we all have to confront loss in our lives.  The experience never seems to get any easier.   When the death is of a tragic nature it can be even harder to comprehend.  While I am not directly affected by the shootings in the elementary school yesterday I can certainly feel sympathy for the parents who lost their innocent children and the families of the adults who died trying to protect them.

We will all have to confront the hard truth of our shared mortality at some point.  Friends and loved ones will pass before us and leave us pondering the meaning of our time together and what was and will never be.  One minute someone you love is there and the next moment they are gone.  When this is completely unexpected it is emotionally devastating.  Memories will linger but hopefully the grief will slowly subside as we begin to embrace our basic human need to move forward and continue living despite the pain.

I have turned to the haunting yet beautiful song, “I Grieve” by Peter Gabriel several times to help me navigate some difficult times in life.  I encourage you to fully be present in the special moments this holiday season and not take anything or anyone for granted.

it was only one hour ago
it was all so different then
there’s nothing yet has really sunk in
looks like it always did
this flesh and bone
it’s just the way that you would tied in
now there’s no-one home

i grieve for you
you leave me
‘so hard to move on
still loving what’s gone
they say life carries on
carries on and on and on and on

the news that truly shocks is the empty empty page
while the final rattle rocks its empty empty cage
and i can’t handle this

i grieve for you
you leave me
let it out and move on
missing what’s gone
they say life carries on
they say life carries on and on and on

life carries on
in the people i meet
in everyone that’s out on the street
in all the dogs and cats
in the flies and rats
in the rot and the rust
in the ashes and the dust
life carries on and on and on and on
life carries on and on and on

it’s just the car that we ride in
a home we reside in
the face that we hide in
the way we are tied in
and life carries on and on and on and on
life carries on and on and on

did I dream this belief?
or did i believe this dream?
now i can find relief
i grieve

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About robined

Ed Robinson is an Executive Coach, Management Consultant, Teacher, Writer and Music Lover.
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