It’s funny to me how words seem to flow,
Only after a person is gone.
But I want to express the love in my heart,
Before my loves venture beyond.
I gave these poems as gifts,
But they mean too much not to share.
The people who inspired them
Are amazing beyond compare.
Poetry makes a thoughtful gift for the holidays, a birthday, or just because. All of these poems were written by me, Kristina Parro, as Christmas gifts this year. The recipients gave me permission to share— to help inspire the flow of your own words and maybe even your own poetry.
Tina’s Tip: Be vulnerable with yourself and others. It feels good to put words to your feelings and even better to share them with those you love.
Poem for my Mom
My Mother, My Captain
If my life were the ocean,
We’d have seen
The sunniest days
And stormiest of seas.
Through it all,
My captain,
Who weathered each
Alongside me.
My mother,
My captain,
My light,
And my world.
Without you,
I’d be ship-wrecked.
My survival,
Up to the sea’s swirls.
Poem for my Dad
A Daughter’s Debt
If I had ten million dollars,
And spent it all on you,
I’d never be able to repay
The debt to you that’s due.
Remember when I was little?
I’d fall asleep in the car.
You’d carry me inside,
But I was heavy and it was far.
Then, when I grew older,
You taught me how to be.
Generous, inquisitive, and stoic.
All the advice you gave for free.
You taught me to work hard,
To think, to create, and to love.
To be true to myself,
And to hold my family above.
We are cut from the same cloth,
You and me are two peas in a pod.
I’ll always pick you as the MVP:
My favorite on the squad.
I’m grateful for what you’ve given me,
But more thankful for our bond.
We will be together forever,
Whether we’re here, or the beyond.
Poem for my Brother
Yin and Yang
She was the sun,
He, the moon.
Different, but complementary.
Separate, but together.
Yin and yang.
Brother and sister.
They say a connection between the two
Brings harmony so powerful
Wars would stop
And world peace would be had.
They say, infinity is found,
Between balanced opposites.
Like with you and me,
And the relationship we’ve fostered.
In this kaleidoscope world,
Often separated by distance and reality,
I’ve become grateful for adversity,
For it only strengthens our bond.
Poem(s) for my Grandma(s)
Grandma’s House
Blue was the color of the house
Where I made those
childhood memories.
Ivory were the keys of the piano,
Which played your
lyrical melodies.
Coffee was the smell in the air,
When the words “Good morning,”
you exclaimed.
Sweet is the smell of the flowers
After which that beautiful street
was named.
Warm was your smile
When I walked inside
Lily of the Valley in my hand.
Full was my heart
When we got to do all the
fun things you had planned.
Stamped and Etched
Remember when you called me,
Just a few weeks ago?
To thank me for the pictures and poems
From the beach, so well, you know.
“Thank you,” you said, enthusiastically.
Then you repeated it five times.
Your voice made me so happy,
I thought that I might cry.
“Thanks for sharing your creativity
and your talents with the world.”
Words like that, from a woman like you,
Gave my heart a little twirl.
Your voice made me so happy,
I’ll remember it forever.
Stamped with love in my memories,
And etched in every endeavor.
Poem for my (future) Sister-in-Law
A Distant Memory
Inside you is a spirit,
That I remember
With sparkling clarity and vivid color,
Yet hadn’t known,
Until you wandered into my life,
On the arm of my baby brother.
Maybe it’s your energy,
Or a distant memory from a past life.
All I know, is that
Life finds a way
Of returning to you
Those whom you need to find.
Poem for my Boyfriend’s Brother
Trip of a Lifetime
If years were measured in miles,
This would be your longest one yet.
Countless hours spent in your van,
On a quest for a life sans regrets.
How many spend their lives wishing
To travel far and wide?
But not many would forgo their comfort
To live a life outside.
You made the most of the pandemic,
Doing what others wish they could.
I’m inspired by your trip of a lifetime,
And the challenges you’ve withstood.
My Poetry Writing Process
While writing these poems, I began with a brainstorming session: writing down some of my favorite memories, stories, or concepts that reminded me of the poem’s inspiration. I read poems that others had written about their loved ones. I meditated and tried to connect with my deepest feelings. From there, I built the message and prose for each individual poem. Finally, in order to make sure the flow and rhythm worked, I read the poems out loud— over and over.
Comment on this post with your best poetry tips, or a poem that you have written for a loved one! I’d love to read them!