"41 Mosaic" - Photo: JCN
sighs siren knocking still centered lost slip doors true screams beneath curse
Second prompt: Poets & Storytellers Prompt:
We invite you to find inspiration in the idea of letting go of something
that used to be wonderful, which no longer fits in your life.
Number Forty One.
After she died
The house was empty.
Yes, true, I was in it.
Yes, all our belongings
Still filled cupboards, shelves,
Beneath the beds—
But nonetheless it was empty.
Hollow.
After a few weeks
Neighbours stopped knocking,
The doors to some rooms
Were pointedly closed.
I never wanted to scream
But sighs were always near.
I felt lost, no longer centred.
The house was not cursed,
Not haunted. Just…nothing.
Eventually the siren call
Of far away places
Was irresistible.
I shut the front door,
Hugged the dogwood,
And slipped away.
◊
Oh, breathtakingly beautiful. I loved the 'neighbours stopped knocking', the nearby sighs, the 'not cursed, not haunted' gives the strangeness of it all. I only hope the siren was not of the usual destructive kind. The slipping away is perfect. It has us feel, he slipped away without screaming, just sighing and empty. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteNicely written JCN 👏 You've captured that delicate feeling so well.
ReplyDeleteWith such an irrevocable change as that, we have little choice but to change ourselves and our lifestyle accordingly ... if we are to stay engaged with life. Lovely, authentic writing.
ReplyDeleteA powerful poem; the emptiness after loss, the closed doors, the nearby sighs, the final slipping away all so tender and true
ReplyDeleteBeautifully moving poem. Seamless use of the words. Glad you gave the dogwood a hug and hope your new life brings you joy. Rall
ReplyDeleteA somber, sweetly composed poem ... well done!!
ReplyDelete"The house was not cursed,
ReplyDeleteNot haunted. Just…nothing."
Excellent lines, J!
One has to close a door to let newer paths unfold. I found this poem poignant and touching a chord within.
ReplyDelete