STRENGTH How long have I got to do this? Get up every day and force myself to get through it pretending I'm okay? How long do I have to feel this desperation and despair? Can't I just give up now? Why do I have to care? How long will life feel pointless now that my baby is not here? How long must I walk amongst the ones with hope and cheer? How long will my raw heart ache for someone I can't hold? Will it ever heal or will there always be this hole? How long must life go on like this before a change I'll see? How long must I feel so low before I'll feel like me? How long will I have to wait to see my baby's face? Stroke her hair, kiss her cheek and marvel in her grace How long until my arms are filled? How long until there's hope? How long must I carry on when I simply cannot cope? I'll wait as long as it may take for me to smile again one day If only for the time I had before my baby flew away Written by Lucy, Summer Ruby's Mother, 15th March 2013.