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Open Poetry #29
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n2dmystic
Member
since 2003-09-27
Posts 253
beyond the doors of perception

0 posted 2003-10-04 02:55 AM


My kids' mom died from cirrhosis, and hep C.  We separated in Dec. 1988. We rekindled the friendship part of our relationship in the last 2 years of her life.  This was my Christmas gift to my kids last year.

REMINISCENCES OF OUR GRANDKIDS’ GRANDMA
in loving memory of Harriet Marrie Settergren (Carreno) Gramma Ree, april 11, 1957 - June 2, 2002


Our grandkids really love my ex-wife
and well they should, she gave them life
the love goes ‘round, as it’s supposed to
and for the love of...who could be opposed to?
Lance Joseph, Lansky, LJ, another Joe
the Little Warrior with the heart of gold
Landen Richard, Lanny, Buggy, Bugs
Our Love Bug loved grandma’s hugs
Aurea Marrie, our Golden Child
She’s got Gramma’s heart, but just mildly wild
Kailee Jean, KK, our little JeanBug
always ready with a kiss’n’hug
Faith Marrie, our new Dark Beauty
Gramma knew, but left before she was ready

I encourage them to speak of her
talk about the love she had to share
She died at my daughters home six months past
Through all of life, we were together at the last
Sixteen years together, this past fourteen not
in the Universe we are who we’ve got
I left California with our daughter, Montana in our path
destined to seek one that finally lasts
Years being different, I find something ...
Hers being prison, and a same sex wedding
“I am me!,” she shouted with rage
“you’ll never keep this heart in a cage!”
Chemical nursery rhymes providing solace
“I ain’t feeling guilty about any choice”


Brought together in Montana twelve years hence
we fix the damned, again, and mend the fence
Me drinking and doping after eleven years
one more time, realizing the fears
Outdoorsman, on ‘the road hardly ever...’
at least I can’t say “Well, I never...”
Anytime I’m around, and in this town,
she has a place for me to lie down
rest, eat and be at ease
No motive, or agenda, just a heart to please
We spend many nights, over nights, and all-nighters drinking
smoking dope, remembering, laughing, thinking
dinking around about the life we had
remembering all, it wasn’t even half bad

We remembered being...

Friends and lovers, we thought partners for life

and went...

hiking , backpacking, we started without strife

we talked of...

eating and cooking, and shopping and friends
neighbors and family, and always our friends
and, weather, or not, friends never end
So we talked of life by remembering our friends
and grandkids and kids, and raising our own
Who they are, and "My how they've grown"
And why they are just that way
it’s surely not cuz they heard someone say...”
credit was given, and duly accepted
no apology given, none rejected
For being parents, spouses, friends and lovers
always believing there would be no other

For sharing the love and joy and fears
fights, togetherness, laughter and tears
All the ups and downs, the struggles of living
Birthing, rearing, the heartache and giving
Loved ones leaving to begin anew
Finding the strength to pull the other through

We spoke of...

our insecurities, and our cheatings and failings
Hearts well up, “I’ll hold you, quit flailing.”
“Did you ever sleep with so-and-so..?”
thank the Universe, the answer’s “no..!”
We give each other peace of heart and mind
about our lives together, as a life one time
We grew up together, not always the same place
I knew her at three, and never forgot an angel’s face
she was beautiful and cute and pretty and smart
she was tough, and wise and rough and had heart
She was sixteen to my twenty-two
a road hardened hippy, paying my due
serving the Uncle, doing my favors
A master chemist, loving all flavors
forms and fashions and senses and savors
my pick of the litter is, “...si, por favor.”
If ever described as a toxic waste site
the commentator would be just about right
We give to each other in important ways
I am gentle and she feels safe, she says
She gives me an anchor, I feel connected
loved and cherished, never rejected

There was so much to this good woman
The Grand Ones' Gramma, my dear friend
daughter, friend, wife and lover
Grandma, aunt, sister and mother
she was thoughtful, concerned, caring and giving
she laughed and smiled and took life for the living
Her laughter always filled the air around
now the Grand Ones miss their Gramma’s sound
She came to Montana sick and tired
living on the edge really gets ya’ wired
cirrhosis, and treatment, and it’s not working
sick and tired of being sick and tired, doctors are all jerking
Choosing the path to ease the pain
she knew what was what, again and again
Hurting and crying and dying inside
She loved the Grand Ones with great pride
Sometimes a slip would rule the day
but our kids are strong and stood the way
and our Grand Ones connected souls with her
And ever and ever she loved them for

At seven-thirty I awoke
it had been a week since she last spoke
to her I had said one last time, ”Marrie!?”
and she responded “Whuht?,” to me
“I love you, ya’ know, I truly do.”
“I know” she said, “I love you too.”
This day at her feet I sat nervous and numb
she on a bed from some hospital room
me, on the couch, feeling the fool
oxygen, dope, no reviving the soul
Lance discovered she had stopped breathing
at eight a.m. she had taken her leaving
June 2nd, 2002, a gentle Sunday Mourning
And a few months hence, Faith is abornin’


an original poem by Joseph D. Carreno
December 16-19, 2002

Peace, Joe
in the big MT
seeking the serendipitous magical mysteries of life's ubiquitous twisteries

© Copyright 2003 Joseph D. Carreno II - All Rights Reserved
Aenimal
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350
the ass-end of space
1 posted 2003-10-04 03:57 AM


Thank you for sharing your words and her spirit
garysgirl
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237
Florida, USA
2 posted 2003-10-04 10:04 AM


Joe, I honestly don't know what to say.
This is heartbreaking and loving at the same time.
Thank you, sir, for sharing this part of your
life with us. Sometimes this much sharing isn't
easy to do. May you and your kids and
grandchildren have happy lives.  
Hugs to you all,  
Ethel

[This message has been edited by garysgirl (10-04-2003 10:05 AM).]

n2dmystic
Member
since 2003-09-27
Posts 253
beyond the doors of perception
3 posted 2003-10-04 10:43 AM


aenimal ~ thank you for reading this.  yesterday, after a year and a half, the kids, grandkids and I spread her ashes on the cliffs overlooking Billings.  an awesome wonderful day.

ethel ~ see comment to aenimal.  you can't live with someone sixteen years, have three kids, experience all of life's up and downs, and end in hate.  It's incongruous to me how people can share so much and then destroy the whole relationship.

Bless you both. thank you

Peace, Joe
in the big MT
seeking the serendipitous magical mysteries of life's ubiquitous twisteries

HopeS
Member Elite
since 2000-12-22
Posts 4596
Perth Western Australia
4 posted 2003-10-04 11:17 AM


An incredible journey ...both of you
right to the end ... still admitting "I love you "

Thank you for sharing this , I for one was touched

Hope

Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
5 posted 2003-10-04 11:29 AM




Paul Wilson
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2002-07-07
Posts 4711
United States
6 posted 2003-10-04 01:21 PM


Joe...It sounds like both of you came full circle. In the end when it counted most you were there for her and that is pure kindness and love on your part. Good write, enjoyed...Paul

"To share my poems with you is to share my heart with you"

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