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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California

0 posted 1999-10-02 01:15 AM


THE LAST TIME

She stares into the mirror,
The make-up doesn't hide the pain.
Dinner's cold on the table.
Last night he said, "Never again".
The bruises in time will heal,
Yet how much more can one heart take.
Second in line to the bottle,
Waiting on the next promise he'll break.

It's 10 o'clock and still no word,
He doesn't even bother to call.
He'll come home drunk again tonight,
That's if he comes home at all.
And staring at the clock she knows-
The time has come for change.
When your realize you can't hurt any more,
The quiet confidence is strange.

And he comes in at half past three,
Looking for reasons to pick a fight.
He calls out her name in anger,
But it only echoes in the night.
He searches the house in a frantic-
While his temper rages on,.
Then sees the ring on the table,
Finally realizing she's gone

In his half-drunk stupor he remembers-
Putting his hands to her face.
He remembers the names he called her,
Then he remembers her embrace.
He remembers a day dressed in white,
And her beauty walking the aisle.
He remembers she was in this whole world-
The only thing that made him smile.

And he recalls the other women,
Though, now, he only wonders why.
For all he'd done to her he never thought-
She was strong enough to say goodbye.
How he played on her emotions-
With his lies so well rehearsed.
Last night she cried for the last time,
Tonight he cried for the first.

For my sister, Sherry.

------------------
Michael Anderson

I could not love except where Death
Was mingling his with Beauty's breath -
Or Hymen, Time, and Destiny
Were stalking between her and me.
EAP





[This message has been edited by Michael (edited 10-02-1999).]

© Copyright 1999 Michael Anderson - All Rights Reserved
Lucie
Senior Member
since 1999-06-20
Posts 1077
Houston
1 posted 1999-10-02 01:25 AM


This was wonderfully written!! Thank you so much for sharing it.
hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
2 posted 1999-10-02 01:27 AM


EXCELLENT!!! this is wonderful Michael, it is so well written
Pepper
Member Elite
since 1999-08-19
Posts 3079
Southern Florida
3 posted 1999-10-02 01:28 AM


This touched me deeply Michael........

------------------

May your days be filled with lots of sunshine and your nights lit up by golden moonbeams

Dragoness
Senior Member
since 1999-08-07
Posts 513

4 posted 1999-10-02 01:33 AM


Very powerful.May all battered women find this strength.

------------------
Set you heart free and your mind will follow.

Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296
Purgatorial Incarceration
5 posted 1999-10-02 04:50 AM


WOW!
A stuttering WOW is all I can come up with Michael!

DreamEvil
Member Elite
since 1999-06-22
Posts 2396

6 posted 1999-10-02 06:19 AM


Way to rock Dark friend of mine. Nailed it you did.

------------------
Now and forever my heart hears ~one voice~.
DreamEvil©


Lost Dreamer
Member Elite
since 1999-06-20
Posts 2464
Somewhere near the Rainbow
7 posted 1999-10-02 07:54 AM


Michael, This is excellent, and so sad.

Lost Dreamer
Member Elite
since 1999-06-20
Posts 2464
Somewhere near the Rainbow
8 posted 1999-10-02 07:55 AM


Michael, This is excellent, and so sad.

Marilyn
Member Elite
since 1999-09-26
Posts 2621
Ontario, Canada
9 posted 1999-10-02 11:25 AM


Amen and Amen. That is all I can seem to say. Beautifully done.
Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
10 posted 1999-10-02 11:33 AM


An incredible poem of love, strength and determination! Wonderful!
caroline
Senior Member
since 1999-08-16
Posts 1218
http://members.xoom.com/belladona123/index.htm
11 posted 1999-10-02 11:38 AM


Michael, the way this hit me defies description. I echo Dragoness...
Excellent work.

------------------
The only man worth your tears will never make you cry...

Mrs.Bigglesworth
New Member
since 1999-10-02
Posts 7
kent
12 posted 1999-10-02 11:46 AM


this is a very moving poem, the last two lines in particular. Lets hope this poem changes the lives of people who do not treat others right.
Thank you.

PhaerieChild
Senior Member
since 1999-08-30
Posts 1787
Aloha, Oregon
13 posted 1999-10-03 07:45 PM


Michael, I have echoes of my ex reverberating thru my soul. I remember his wickedness very well and this is a great poem for anyone who wants to find the strength to just leave. The last two lines hit so close to home. I remember it well. Excellent writing!!

------------------
If you love me like music, I'll be your song.
~Heart~ Dreamboat Annie


Severn
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704

14 posted 1999-10-03 08:37 PM


Fantastic! Fantastic - hope and despair all in one. Well done!!!!
WhtDove
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245
Illinois
15 posted 1999-10-03 08:49 PM


Wow Michael, this made my eyes fill! It is funny somehow we find that strength. I know this poem only too well. I wish her the best, for she is strong! I hope better things come her way!
Sally S.
Senior Member
since 1999-06-07
Posts 847
Ohio
16 posted 1999-10-03 11:19 PM


Michael,
I'm betting you've touched more than can even respond...This poem almost leaves you without words.

Iloveit
Senior Member
since 1999-09-02
Posts 1121
NM
17 posted 1999-10-04 09:56 AM


not sure what to say, sitting here crying, hard to put words to how much that touched me....really beautiful........
suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
18 posted 1999-10-04 10:00 AM


Michael: It's hard to type a response with both thumbs up in approval for a poem so well written *S*... It's hard to see the screen through tears...
JennyLee
Senior Member
since 1999-09-01
Posts 1461
Northwestern, NJ.
19 posted 1999-10-04 11:31 AM


Michael...this makes me deeply sad.
How good you can put such words to something so horrible.

AS Always...Jenny

Skyfyre
Senior Member
since 1999-08-15
Posts 1906
Sitting in Michael's Lap
20 posted 1999-10-04 05:37 PM


Darkly triumphant ... may your words inspire those who need such inspiration to achieve their own triumph.

Nocht

------------------
"Nunc lento sonitu dicunt, morierus"
(Now as I hear this bell tolling softly for another, it says to me, "Thou must die.")



Tammy
Member
since 1999-09-09
Posts 90

21 posted 1999-10-04 09:06 PM


Micheal,
Very powerful piece, I too found the courage to leave a very abusive man... that was over 10 1/2 years ago...
Good luck to your sister....
Tammy

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
22 posted 1999-10-04 09:53 PM


Michael,
Well done and moving.

Starith
Member
since 1999-08-18
Posts 176
Leesburg, FL USA
23 posted 1999-10-04 10:48 PM


Alright Michael you have brought tears to my eyes...and I don't get teary often. This was a very beautiful piece. I could feel the emotion flowing through it. I loved it!

Star

------------------
We are only truly apperciated after we are no more!


Dolphins3
Member
since 1999-09-30
Posts 135
Wisconsin
24 posted 1999-10-05 02:53 PM


Michael you did a beautiful job. Thank you for sharing.
LngJhnAg
Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508
Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion
25 posted 1999-10-05 03:23 PM


Michael

After reading this, I regret my miserable attempts to draw you out. Great story line, and (I fear), it appears it is too closely connected to somebody you love.

Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California
26 posted 1999-10-05 09:55 PM


You have nothing to regret with me, Long John, this was written for my sister who has shown a strength and determination in overcoming fear and abuse I never knew her capable of. She truly is an inspiration and I hope, a seed to hope for all who have read this that may be standing in similar shoes. I thank everyone else for your responses to this, I have shared them with my sister, also.

So far as calling me out, Long John,
....hehehe. Well, just remember you started it...


------------------
Michael Anderson

When God puts a tear in your eye,
He puts a rainbow in your heart.



Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348
Florida
27 posted 2004-04-28 03:20 PM


Michael,

I can not tell you how many poems of yours I read today, but this one will be the last of the day...for it left me in tears.

You might as well have been writing my first marriage...

"second in line to the bottle" I don't know how many times I have said that all I want from life is to be with someone that thinks I am more important than drinking..

I do hope that Sherry is doing well...

"cast me gently into the morning, for the night has been unkind"
~Sarah McLachlan~

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