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Open Poetry #47
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JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana

0 posted 2011-10-27 07:34 AM


I thought I had posted this, but a search told me otherwise, or it could have been under the JerryPat name . . .


colder'n blue blazes
preacher standing ramrod straight
mouth so cold
lips turning blue
mouthing verses mouthing verses
nobody hears
after he speaks them
and words pass his mouth
only to shatter in the cold, graveyard cold
I'm dressed warm
not warm enough to stop chattering teeth
shivering
not all from the wintry blast
no
their eyes
looking at me instead of the preacher
even the preacher
presented me with a glacial sneer
before he started mouthing verses
no one hears
not supposed to be here
I don't care
Hungry panther couldn't keep me away
I loved her
More than anyone did
even her husband
especially him
preacher stopped mouthing
silence
two strangers walked to flag-draped coffin
took it
stood in front of the husband
she was a veteran
folding the flag to precise specifications
every fold means something
so I've been told
the two armed service guys
presented the flag to the husband
everyone stood
whispered among themselves
hate-filled eyes darting toward me
I remained sitting
not part of the ritual
would not pretend I was
they all left
eventually
only I remained
two men showed up
to fill the grave
I held up a hand
They stepped back
I rose and walked toward where she lay
knelt at the foot of it
tried to speak
couldn't
tried to pray
I couldn't do that either
one of the grave men coughed
I got up
wiped at the tears
I left
leaving my heart
at the bottom of that damned hole


~*  If they give you lined paper, write the other way.  ~*~

© Copyright 2011 Jerry Pat Bolton - All Rights Reserved
Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere
1 posted 2011-10-27 08:23 AM


too damn sad my friend.

Lori

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
2 posted 2011-10-27 08:33 AM


Yeah, I know, Lori. Stuff happens.

~*  If they give you lined paper, write the other way.  ~*~

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
3 posted 2011-10-27 09:20 AM


Sometimes there are no words... there is only love... and the pain of loss. The words you didn't have then, you found with your pen... I'm so very sorry for your loss.
JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
4 posted 2011-10-27 09:26 AM


Thank you, suthern, this was a few years back, but . . .

~*  If they give you lined paper, write the other way.  ~*~

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
5 posted 2011-10-27 09:47 AM


But some hurts never end... I know. ((((HUGS))))
ebonygirl
Member Elite
since 2011-07-14
Posts 2000
California U.S.A
6 posted 2011-10-27 02:12 PM


JP2, wish I could have been there to glare back at that preacher. Heartfelt, ms. e
JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
7 posted 2011-10-27 02:23 PM


Me too, ms. e, thank you very much for being here now.

~*  If they give you lined paper, write the other way.  ~*~

Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California
8 posted 2011-10-28 07:56 PM


I'm glad you posted/and/or reposted this JP.  Sometimes we have to cling to what is right within our hearts, even when the rest of the world disagrees.  It sounds like you're a little like me in that regard... doing so to a point of relishing the world's distaste.  'Tis good I think, but never let that cloud the memory, and why it was important enough to make that stand in the first place.

Good writing, btw.


Michael

jwesley
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563
Spring, Texas
9 posted 2011-10-29 10:10 AM


Lovers saying goodbye is never an easy thing . . . thoughts here work well even if neither has passed, (passing is just a matter of degree) especially for one or the other...

Good read, my friend.

j.

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
10 posted 2011-10-29 11:46 AM


Again, I truly thank you, j., for your input concerning my poem "At the Gravesite." And again, your words are born from wisdom.

~*  The sound of a kiss is not so loud as that of a cannon, but its echo lasts a great deal longer.--Oliver Wendell Holmes  ~*~

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
11 posted 2011-10-29 11:47 AM


Michael, thank you for occupying a part of my space and for your well-informed comments. I do appreciate it.

~*  The sound of a kiss is not so loud as that of a cannon, but its echo lasts a great deal longer.--Oliver Wendell Holmes  ~*~

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