Near drowning in incessant tears and
gasping for unfound air didn't affect her as much
as not being comforted any more by loving parents.
What happened to their faces, their presence?
After weeks of staying in a foreign
parade, with people they thought they knew,
living in a shelter, but without any aid,
they returned unknowing what to do.
She dragged her tattered teddy bear
as well as her Grandpa's withered hand
the only remnants of the past she had
the nearest thing to family.
Strangers whispered among themselves,
"Emptiness had made them bereft of
all conscious reminders of familial love"
resigned to placing pity upon broken shelves.
But Grandpa quietly said that after each
loved one departs, their life is now more
blessing than burden. A shining pearl
left from a most ugly and stubborn oyster.
Looking intently upon their hollowed home,
"Howzat?" inquired the impatient, disconsolate one,
so fraught with despair that hope was farther
than the stars she once hitched her little red wagon on.
Consoling ever so placidly to the whims
of near-petulant, piteously young:
"The rains and winds wash the sins
of a world that has gone awry,
and force us to begin anew,
and amidst the debris and wreckage strewn
a whole other life does ensue:
family and friends regain their meaningfulness."
"Don't mourn the tangible reminders lost," He said,
"The waters that choke and the gales that tear,
can never take away what the heart laid there
it just gives space for more to grow instead."
Author notes
Third Stanza is new, in addition to various other revisions.
Death does not take more than it gives.
My idea of survival is perspective and attitude: you need both to adapt, and thus survive. Grandpa provides a valuable lesson to his granddaughter: Tragedy can become resolution, a strength. These are qualities of survivors, in my opinion.
Written August 30th, 2005
A contest entry
- Dear Departed Friend by Misty Melody.
850 points, ended September 13, 2008, 78 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 8 of 8
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Wonderful this is very well written and I thank you for entering my contest. Good luck in the contest. Thanks, Melody
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Very well written. Great piece. Thank you for entering and good luck.
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What a cute poem! I keep thinking there must be a reason why people choose to live in an area that is rocked by hurricanes year after year. You've just given me an answer. Thank you.
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Excellent
Excellent..Written so well...Good luck in the contest..
Blessings,
Betty -
good job
this is truly a great poem.imaginery fantastic flows well.. -
good job, the author's notes help tie it in.
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Um, I made slight revisions, after re-reading my poem to better adhere to your contest theme. Feel free to re-look when you have the time.
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Very good, Avatar. Well done!
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