Saturday, June 14, 2014

June 14, 2014 Sunday Whirl-- When You Went Away/ Death Came Gentle




Image from the Internet

When You Went Away
The wish I made fell on
Deaf ears made of porcelain
Of course they could not hear

I hollered down the chimney
Made threats
About what I would do
For the next two thousand years

Marched out to the pit
Right up to the edge
Standing on that cliff
I vowed I would not allow it

My scream split the silence
Would rip them into pieces
If they came for him
Took him now

Yet for all my bluster
Quietly in the morning
They came
As was the plan
Hatched oh so long ago

When the sun lit up the world
I found his bed was empty
There was no struggle
He had left quietly
Not wanting to awake the others
Didn’t even leave a note

I raise my glass
Drink to your sorrows
And mine which overflow
Six and twenty thousand
Days months or years
Will not be enough
To count the stars up in the sky
Nor tears upon my cheeks

June 14, 2014

_____________________________

                                                                       My own image.
Death Came Gentle
As soft waves
On a summer’s day
The click click
Of her heel
Upon the hospital floor
Barely made a sound
Above machines
Breathing and monitoring
Keeping folks safe
Until she made her rounds

No not dressed in white
No nurse was she
Instead dressed black
As was proper for her station
And the soberness of her task

She checked the stats
Of each patient
Made a note in her log
Those that would stay
Until morning
And those who
Would go away

The bridge you crossed
Was big and wide
Like the smile
Upon your face

Peter Pan danced at the
Edge of the glade
Called to you
Said he knew the way

June 14, 2014

Note:  My son, Jim, died June 6, 2014, he lost his battle, disease won.









16 comments:

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Annell, these poems take my breath away. I see a book of these beautiful poems you are writing for your beloved Jim. The first goes straight to my heart - no, not enough days, minutes, years or stars in the sky to outnumber the tears a mother cries for her son. In the second, the image of Death dressed in black making the rounds ahead of the nurses will stick with me ..............keep writing your way through, my friend, I just read Gloria Vanderbilt's book A Mother's Story, about losing her son Carter, in such an unthinkable fashion, so your poems hit that place of grief that death opens in one's heart.

Arathi Harihar said...

Annell...I am so sorry for Jim..but you are keeping him alive through your love and with these poems too..a mothers sorrow for her offspring will be there for ever..my prayers are for you to find strength and peace..God bless..:)

Jae Rose said...

Every word and line screams out the agony and loss..there is a sense that there is nothing we can do to change the path although in the second piece it seems like Jim found a place that could make him smile..love to you as always xo

Anonymous said...

So very sorry that you have lost your son. Your poetry is beautiful. May the writing of it bring you wholeness even in your grief.

humbird said...

Once connected the souls, especially close people are always together in love forever...my condolences and love...you bring it in your writing and art so deeply!

Gail said...

I was reading deep emotions in these. I thought there is something bad/sad in these words. Then I read your note. I am so sorry. There are no words that will help except the words that spill from your heart.

Anonymous said...

These are take your breath away beautiful, Annell. There will always be individuals stumbling through the dark battering storm of grief, and some of them will find a path to healing in your writing. Know that my love is with you and be safe,

Elizabeth

brenda w said...

Beauty runs through this expression of grief, Annell. I am sorry for your loss.

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

Poems like these take great courage--and grief--to write. May you continue to find solace in telling the tale of your son's death in a multitude of ways.

Belva Rae Staples said...

I'm saddened to hear of your loss. As you write it seems as though the pain you feel pours out. It will touch the hearts of so many going through similar things. God bless.

Old Egg said...

How wonderful it us you are able to share your feelings with such beautiful poetry. We always fear the inevitable but the hole that is left within us hurts so much.

flaubert said...

Your first poem brought me to tears, Annell. Really beautiful.

Pamela ox

Cathy said...

Oh Annell, I'm so sorry to her about your son :( Your poems are beautiful but full with such sorrow

Brian Miller said...

heartfelt...you are plucking my heart strings pretty hard.
it is good to see you writing your way through this.

Unknown said...

Beautiful poems, Annell. So sorry that your son was taken so soon. Keep posting and we'll keep reading. Thank you for sharing at such a tender time.

Laurie Kolp said...

I'm reading all your poems about your son, Annell... and crying. I'm so sorry about your loss, but am glad you have poetry and art to express your pain.

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