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Joyce Johnson

Member Rara Avis

since 2001-03-10

Posts 9912
Washington State

0 posted 2002-03-23 04:11 PM

When I awoke this morning
to the jangling of the phone,
I knew before I answered
that I was now alone.
After fifty years of living
with you there by my side,
I didn't need a message
to tell me you had died.

Sometimes we fooled the teachers
and we even tricked our folks.
If I was you or you were me,
one of our private jokes.
I seldom used a mirror
my own visage to see.
There was a truer image
right along side of me.

And when at last we parted
to go our separate ways,
the connection wasn't broken.
I had no lonesome days.
Now I can't use the mirror
to wash or comb my hair.
I tried but it is hard to shave
that half-reflection there.

Joyce 3/23/03

(this is written about identical twins whom I knew very well.The second one died less than a week after the other, though they were hundreds of miles apart.)

[This message has been edited by Joyce Johnson (03-23-2002 04:12 PM).]

Denise

Moderator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-08-22

Posts 22648

1 posted 2002-03-23 10:09 PM

Being a twin I can relate to that connection. Our identities are so intertwined that there really is no thinking of the one without the other. I could sense that connection in your words. You captured it well!

pegasus111
Member Elite

since 2000-07-27

Posts 2219
ocala, fl, usa

2 posted 2002-03-23 11:57 PM

this is fascinating. nice work Joyce.

the woods are lovely, dark, and deep, but I have promises to keep, and many miles to go before I sleep...Frost

ellie LeJeune
Member Elite

since 2000-01-10

Posts 4156
King of Prussia, PA USA

3 posted 2002-03-24 06:42 AM

Beautiful poem and so sad...hugs, Ellie

A friend hears the song in my heart, and sings it to me when my memory fails.

Trillium

Member Patricius

since 2001-03-09

Posts 12098
Idaho, USA

4 posted 2002-03-24 06:31 PM

Joyce: This is so well written and also true. We have a daughter-in-law who is a twin and we see this strange connection between her and her sister all the time. They too live hundreds of miles apart.

Betty Lou Hebert

wordancer
Senior Member

since 2000-07-30

Posts 809
VA

5 posted 2002-03-25 10:56 AM

This has a very nice feel to it, you show the connection well without over doing it. The last stanza was striking.

Joyce Johnson

Member Rara Avis

since 2001-03-10

Posts 9912
Washington State

6 posted 2002-03-25 06:05 PM

Thank you dear Friends for your encouragement. I am not a twin but this pair I write of had married into my family and they were so very close. It was eerie.
I'm glad my portrayal of this relationship, passed muster with you Denise, a twin yourself. Love, Joyce

TinaTrivett
Senior Member

since 2006-07-15

Posts 569

7 posted 2006-07-15 10:37 PM

Very moving poem Joyce. I have twins, and a son who lost his twin brother. My mother is also a twin. This was especially touching to me. Thank you for such a nice write.

Joyce Johnson

Member Rara Avis

since 2001-03-10

Posts 9912
Washington State

8 posted 2006-07-15 10:46 PM

thanks for finding this Tina. I had not seen it for a long time. My son-in-law was one of these twins and they were so closely connected to each other. Love, Joyce

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