It always seemed
to be summer
back then
We were all
tanned and blonde
and flitting off
to Bali
There were
so many lunches
afternoon teas
and martinis
Dinner parties
gossip affairs
dinner parties
bankruptcies
scandal
We all had children
and then everything stopped
paths changed overnight
Google told me you died
You are all frozen
in back then time
for me
Like Pompeii
or the Titanic
I remember
you gave me a
coffee table
I remember
you built a
tree house
I remember
you covered
in dust from work
I remember
your red wine
collection
I remember mostly
your aloneness
Feeling uncomfortable
at recognising
a fellow leper
A package forwarded
to the wrong address
I didn't think
I liked you
It turns out
I did
RWP Mini Challenge #5
Wow. This is SO very powerful. The transition line: "everything stopped. Google told me you died."
ReplyDeletefollowed by "your aloneness" and "recognizing a fellow leper"....
Wow. My breath is taken away... by the last two stanzas. beautiful.
Thankyou.Your comment if very much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteThe poem's directness and simplicity make the loss all the more stark.
ReplyDeleteThankyou Pam.Yes, your word'stark' is an apt one.
ReplyDeleteThis is really nice, Rall. Poignant but with sunshine mixed through.
ReplyDeleteAnd I have to echo Pam's sentiment. The construction of this, especially your short lines, seem to emphasize the loneliness. Well done.
ReplyDeleteGrief is such a formidable opponent. This was so well told.
ReplyDeleteThank you for digging up and sharing this poignant post.
ReplyDelete