'nam
is not in this house
where the tvs replay the news
and the records run
the same old songs.
where the women laugh
and live and wring their sponges
free of sudsy water,
waiting for their husbands
to come in through the back door
smiling like always
with a hug and a conversation.
there is a death in the house
or just as likely, fifty-eight thousand;
where the women
offer their own tears
to alleviate
the pain of one another.
the news runs
but now it is
an endless notification
of the flames
that barely illuminate
unmoving hands
against the outline of red sky,
a proclamation
of false sympathy
we're sorry ma'am
but he's not coming back
Author notes
a commemoration i suppose
my grandpa died this morning
grieving households are not limited to wars
A contest entry
- when it happens by Melissa Gayle.
1000 points, ended October 21, 2008, 17 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 7 of 7
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This is amazing: so strong and very powerful yet told so simply. Absolutely beautiful.
And I'm so sorry.
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no criticism here; overall, fantastic.
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Longer than your usual writes. None the lesser for it. This was nostalgically descriptive. I saw the scenes as if they crawled from my memories. The end was not unexpected, and yet still very strong. I could feel the emotion here. And now I see why. I am sorry for your loss. I have been through this ordeal as well. More than once
It is wrenching, but I know you will find that inner strength!
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I am so sorry for your loss.
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i am so sorry
you wrote this beautifully, i didn't know what happened before... but anyway, this is just so powerful.
take care
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