The Longest Day

Cherry

By Silver Spun Sand

Sun, 21 Jun 2015
  • 885 reads
4 comments
 
It was just a matter of time; that body
became merely a shell...that agile mind
of his – soaked up knowledge like a sponge – 
defunct, all-but thrown in the towel. 
 
The man – pushed me on the swings,
taught me to ride a two-wheel bike – could 
plant a bare twig in the ground – 
 
hands delving down; excited as a wild child
when it sprung into a tree...his breath – gone 
just the occasional sigh – resigning itself
to his own, mouldering wilderness.
 
So...how will I fill this gaping void – 
this hole that even time could never
fill in?
 
When I’ve read a good book...written
a new poem, I’ll have no one to tell...
no gloating voice at the end of a phone,
having solved both ‘five across’ and
‘twenty-two down’.
 
All those precious photos – letters of his, 
stashed in a tin. Later, I’ll read
and reread that faded scrawl
from a lad, turned soldier...
at sixteen years old.
 
Another night, another day, this last one
the longest, waiting...for finality, feeling guilty 
as sin, because, in a way, I want it to come –
for him; 
 
and when it does, with the sound
of my mobile phone, you can bet
your life I’ll kid myself I’ll hear him say,
‘Hi, Son. Rise and shine!  How about
we go fishing today?’
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Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Good use of IP to draw thoughts to those days that really seem the longest.
I can emphathise particularly at the moment with the picture drawn at the beginning, as my father-in-law has reached that stage where he is basically just sleeping - mostly deeply, and opening his eyes had become an effort even when there was still some communication. But I think in his case, maybe some of the times in recent days with very little communication were happier than earlier times when he was unhappy and self absorbed.
Your mentioning of the expectation of speaking, especially on the phone, is so relevant to all our close bereavements. Rhiannon

 

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Rhiannon, thank you so much for your thoughts, and for sharing.  I wish your father-in-law peace, and I am sure he draws comfort from your presence.    

All the best to you, and to yours.

Tina

 

Submitted by threeleafshamrock on

Captured perfectly!

This will resonate with so many. You haven't lost your knack for getting under the skin and into the atmospheric meat of the sentiment.

Been missing this for too long, well done!

Chris x

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Well hello, there, Chris.  Such a lovely surprise to have you back in the fold.  I hope life has been treating you kindly, and very many thanks for taking the time to pop by to my neck of the woods, as well.  Much appreciated.

Tina x