The Silent Witness

Gold cherry

By seashore

Sun, 26 Jun 2016
  • 11423 reads
29 comments
 

 

I think by now I have taken root

at the bus stop where you fell

I'm still there -

watching you stagger from the cafe,

hearing the scrape of your little red pumps,

as you set off with what

had lately become

your familiar shuffling gait,

seeing how your grip loosens

on that green leather bag,

your constant companion,

contents spilling to the ground

as you clutch the waste bin,

a wave of nausea catching you -

your fingers down your throat

try to dislodge the last bite

of sandwich you couldn't quite swallow,

Now slumping to your knees

your body sags, crumples,

and the kind cafe lady is there,

grabbing a phone

calling for an ambulance,

cradling your head -

 

Whilst somewhere else,

another me drinks coffee,

chats with friends,

oblivious...until the call,

when of course I know,

and I'm straight in the car

driving not-too-fast

telling you I'm coming

please wait, please wait -

but you couldn't and didn't -

 

Leaving me, a woman

in shadow in a place where

I will grow old and gnarled,

my roots spreading, making

cracks in the pavement

outside the hairdresser's

near the cafe

by the bus stop - still listening

for the scrape of your shoes,

your size-three-feet-shaped red shoes -

and only you will know

this silent witness

is your mother -

looking out for her child

replaying the scene over and over,

waiting in vain for a different

ending

 

Certificate 12
Poem
seashore
Love
Autobiography

Comments

Submitted by Starfish Girl on

This is so sad with some truly heart wrenching lines.

The last line says it all.

Lindy

Submitted by seashore on

Yes Lindy, I know.  This bus-stop thing has been driving me mad and I thought maybe it would help to write it down...only time will tell.

Submitted by samhennig on

Utterly heartbreaking x

Sam Hennig

Submitted by VeraClark on

Seashore, this is eloquently written on such heartache - the shoes are a devastating metaphor for even an outsider to read, their description seems to convey all the emotional minutaie of last moments, the things a mother turns over eternally in her mind. This took my breath away, this piece, the pain of it.I sincerely hope it helps, the writing.

 

Submitted by seashore on

Thank you Vera...and Sam also. xx

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

harrowing - and to then replay it in your head again and again. I hope it does help seashorexx

 

Submitted by seashore on

Thanks I hope so too xx

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Seeringly vivid, you communicate this unbearable pain in such a way that we are all with you both, standing with you on each replay.  My thoughts go out to both of you.

Submitted by seashore on

Thank you Philip...it is appreciated.

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

So sad for you. It must be some little consolation that someone was with her. And so many times, I expect it was you there consoling down the years, and being appreciated. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by seashore on

Thank you Rhiannon.

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

This powerful piece is our Facebook and Twitter Pick of the Day

Get a fantastic reading recommendation everyday

 

Submitted by seashore on

Many thanks insert for pick of the day.

Submitted by lenchenelf on

...of existence. How to function? Heart wrenching. Poetry  so often addresses ephemeral, but pleasing states of being; this is crafted, but raw in a pain that leaves the reader breathless, and with you. Keep strong.

hug to you and your family

Lena xxx

  

 

Submitted by seashore on

Many thanks Lena - you've said it, how to function is what I ask myself daily...

Coral xx

Submitted by Mark_Daniels on

Genunielly moving.

 

Submitted by celticman on

like all prayers it starts from the heart

 

Submitted by seashore on

Thanks Clark Logan & celticman for reading & commenting. It is appreciated.

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

This bought such a lump to my throat, I could hardly contain the tears filling up.

I really hope writing this poem helps to ease the pain that you must be feeling.

Sending loving thoughts to you coral.

Jenny. 

 

 

Submitted by seashore on

Thank you for your kind words Jenny.  The pain goes on whilst we wait for the hospital investigation to be completed.  Her sister and I were trying for a long time to get her medication changed, as it was (and is) known to be a dangerous drug.  And so it proved for my daughter.  

Coral xx

Submitted by hoalarg1 on

I'm really sorry for your loss, Seashore. You have said so much in these lines (and what is left unsaid between them). The cracks in the pavement from your rooted self are vivid and powerful. Best wishes. Adam

 

Submitted by seashore on

Thank you, Adam - much appreciated. x

Submitted by MarciaMarcia on

I was taken in and set adrift, with your words, your telling. But somehow, when you struggle with unreal reality as yours has been, the struggle to find the word, the phrase, the expression of the inconceivable truth, writing the piece, helps place resolve in heart and soul. 

I recently struggled with a similar catrastrophy in "Joanie's Poem" posted only days ago. 

My heart goes out to you and your loved ones at this very bewildering time. MarciaMarcia

Submitted by MarciaMarcia on

I was taken in and set adrift, with your words, your telling. But somehow, when you struggle with unreal reality as yours has been, the struggle to find the word, the phrase, the expression of the inconceivable truth, writing the piece, helps place resolve in heart and soul. 

I recently struggled with a similar catrastrophy in "Joanie's Poem" posted only days ago. 

My heart goes out to you and your loved ones at this very bewildering time. MarciaMarcia

Submitted by seashore on

Thank you Marcia Marcia.   I had a quick look at "Joanie's Poem" the other day - will go and take a longer look. x

Submitted by Parson Thru on

I have a lot of reflection time just now and this piece has stopped me in my tracks. So sorry Coral.

Parson Thru

Submitted by seashore on

Thank you so much x

Submitted by hippie girl on

so sorry she was abeautiful girl and this is a beautifull/sad poem peace

 

Submitted by seashore on

Thank you so much hippie girl. Yes, it doesn't get any easier - miss her all the time.