A draft... life between a rock and a hard place. My love to all those in similar. xx K
THE LAST GOODBYE
“We sail out of season into oyster-grey wind,
over a terrible hardness.”
Anne Sexton, “Crossing The Atlantic”
An unseasonable northerly wind this summer
chills our conversation, the ebb and flow exchange
between my childhood memories and
the death of your old friends.
You sit beside me, grey and translucent;
only your cirrus-blue eyes are lit with an indelible spirit
that, passing from mother to daughter,
is perhaps our closest tie.
Your voice wavers along with your unsteady legs;
taking your fleshy arm to steer you
is like putting my hand into running water.
I try to circumnavigate time:
we visit the pool that was my sea,
but it is now no more than a silted tear.
Today no sun regenerates the days --
age is no respecter of seasons:
tomorrow we visit your dearest friend
for what will be the last goodbye.
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Reviews of "The Last Goodbye"
Reviewed by Trainee Poet (Reader)
Reviewed on August 15, 2005
I like the concrete images in this sensitive poem...Subject is very emotional, very difficult to keep temptations of emotion at bay. I like the way you have used broad-shouldered nouns and verbs, with adjectives only when absolutely necessary! I am little concerned about " circumnavigate time" but couldn't convince with anything more adequate! In the last strophe I think you can do without that emdash and replace that colon with a semicolon.
Dearest Kate,
Such a poignant, meaningful write here. You are a true artist in every respect. I've never known anyone who can paint such vivid thought pictures with words. I am always completely enraptured by your words.
I leave this poem with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes.
Love Chanti
Extremely sad, Kate, and as you know, something that I can truly relate to right now. And that quote will probably stay with me for a very long time to come.
This is stunning and sad Kate, it resonates with that sense of loss that is usally hard to express, but you've moved my soul here with your words.
((Hugs))
Paul
My heart goes out to you as you comfort and console your mother and I know your sweet spirit would hurt at not being able to make things right, but you do with just your presence. Heartfelt hug going out to you tonight.
oh wow, Kate. first you've quoted one of my fav Anne Sexton poems and then you've written a poem so close to my own conversations when I saw my own parents and discussed two deaths earlier today. you have such an amazing agility with words. thank you and blessings to you and your Mom. Dawn
I am in agreement with Eileen, it is very hard to comment on a poem of this magnitude. Wishing peace and healing for you and yours.
Sending my prayers!
Kate, hard to comment on such a moving poem ,with this topic...May you all be blessed with His mercy and sustaining grace. my thoughts and prayers are with you!
This poem is like an anchor on my heart, Kate. Beautifully written but so very sad that it brought tears to my eyes and a lump to my throat. To lose our mother is a wound that never heals, for she is the only person on earth who loves us no matter what choices we make in life.
Take care,
Sherry
Your words speak of an undying love for a mother that is near her last days here on earth but she will be with you forever in eternity. Your sorrow touches me to the core.
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Saving a post in my library, after a long time!
TP
Such a poignant, meaningful write here. You are a true artist in every respect. I've never known anyone who can paint such vivid thought pictures with words. I am always completely enraptured by your words.
I leave this poem with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes.
Love Chanti
this most emotional piece. You've
brought it to the reader to feel.
Your voice wavers along with your unsteady legs;
taking your fleshy arm to steer you
is like putting my hand into running water
an extraordinary verse to an impressive poem ...
((Hugs))
Paul
Felix (pops)
I am in agreement with Eileen, it is very hard to comment on a poem of this magnitude. Wishing peace and healing for you and yours.
Sending my prayers!
Love,
Eileen
Take care,
Sherry
Carmen :-)
good write
j+
Very moving write..