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Open Poetry #13
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JamesBowie
Member
since 2000-11-25
Posts 252
big old Bangor Maine up by the shack

0 posted 2001-03-29 07:47 AM


The stiches are not holding
as with gloved hands I cradle the boys head

Two children playing in their room
early morning, both still in their PJ's

Frantically the boy struggles
forcing more blood than the gauze can hold

Happily jumping on their bed
all they heard was children laughing

Just a skinny little four year old
but it takes four grown men to hold him

He falls, head oddly striking the bedframe
parents run, hearing the other brother's cries

His eyes close, ceasing to struggle
I see he is no longer bleeding

"Please save him, Please"

I'm still sorry

© Copyright 2001 James Bowie - All Rights Reserved
JamesBowie
Member
since 2000-11-25
Posts 252
big old Bangor Maine up by the shack
1 posted 2001-03-29 09:00 AM


This is an actual event for me- not a contrived ER scene- maybe that would make it more interesting?
SEA
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 Tours
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676
with you
2 posted 2001-03-29 09:49 AM


what can any one say to this? The pain and anguish radiates from every word....not only is it true......It feels true, and that makes it that much more painful to read......I don't feel so bad for being overprotective of my kids now.....thank you for this James B. Hugs to you...    SEA
Meadowmuse
Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263

3 posted 2001-03-29 10:43 AM


James, this must surely have been difficult to write. The fact that you've woven the scene of the boys playing just minutes earlier makes this even more moving, to my way of thinking, as it illustrates the immediacy, the shortness, the ever constant unpredictability of life (and death). A VERY strong poem. My only suggestion would be to italicize the lines in which you are referring to the scene before you arrived. Doing that would, in my opinion, give it more impact and separate the immediate past from the present.

Thanks for this difficult, important poem.

Claire

Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant?......Henry David Thoreau


RMW
Senior Member
since 2001-03-21
Posts 1424

4 posted 2001-03-29 11:34 AM


James....something of Frost's "Out, Out" (I think that was the one) in this. Very sad. Very well written. Bob
Mabel A. Dilley
Senior Member
since 2001-03-17
Posts 859
Seattle, WA, USA
5 posted 2001-03-29 07:01 PM


I begin many speeches with: "30 seconds will change your life." This you demonstrated so very well in this poem. You do brave work.

"I am not now that which I have been."

Joyce Johnson
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Member Rara Avis
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912
Washington State
6 posted 2001-03-29 07:08 PM


These things can't happen but of course they do, to even the most loving and careful of parents.  I admire the way you interwove the preceding happenings with the present.  i think it made it a stronger poem.  I find that confusing in a novel.  In the poem it was wonderful.  Joyce
Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
7 posted 2001-03-30 07:26 AM


James, this brings back real memories of my own - when my daughter was injured by her own cousin while playing in her room - I ran to her within seconds, and found projectile blood spurting from her forehead and a pool of red beneath her that was already about a foot in diameter... We were fortunate - she was all right after a visit to the hospital... I pray your experience had a happy ending... Well written, my friend..
doreen peri
Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812
Virginia
8 posted 2001-03-30 07:43 AM


OUCH!! oh my! painful memory, james.... you did a good job with this.... geez

it's good to see you again, my friend!

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