Saying Goodbye to Skye - pipTalk Forums

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Corinne
Member Ascendant

since 1999-10-28

Posts 5167
state of confusion

0 posted 2001-03-12 09:13 PM

A drive past our old haunts last week
stirred the shadowy ghosts
of your friendship.
I once envied you so -
my own short curls nothing like
your pre-Raphaelite mane;
common brown eyes
dull next to those pale glacial orbs,
and my Irish skin, a study in ruddiness
compared to the olive of your ancestors.

Were it not for your selflessness,
I could have hated you,
but you dismissed my insecure babbles,
and pointed to my aptitudes
as though they were strengths you lacked.

Yet, your life was not wonderful,
I still carry images of
your Mother’s attempted suicide
on the meat-slicer at the family deli,
carefully removing the safety guard
to slice her wrists
like Liverwurst.

There were other attempts,
but they were kept as closely guarded
as the blade to that shield.

Alcoholic tendencies
ran deep in your family,
despite the public-image presented
to the Latter-Day-Saints Church.
You invited me once,
ceremonies as alien to me
as the Stations of the Cross
would have been to you.

We lost touch for a few years,
but you were on my mind
the day I heard you’d been killed.

I felt you around me then
and for months afterward,
helpless, silent cries
trapped inside my head.
Finally, I severed
the invisible string
and said goodbye.

© 2001 Corinne Bailey

[This message has been edited by Corinne (edited 03-13-2001).]

WhtDove
Member Rara Avis

since 1999-07-22

Posts 9245
Illinois

1 posted 2001-03-12 09:20 PM

This is sad!

It's a hard thing to let go. God bless ya

<*\\\><

I know not what the future holds,
but I know Who holds the future.

I don't question YOUR existance - GOD

Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

2 posted 2001-03-12 09:22 PM

Powerful writing, Corinne..........

Mysteria

Member Laureate

since 2001-03-07

Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada

3 posted 2001-03-12 10:54 PM

Writing out the pain is good for your mind, but celebrating the life of your friend will be so good for your soul and your heart...if you remember the fun times he will never leave you. What a wonderful tribute - he was very lucky to have you as a friend. This was very well done indeed.

~*~A poet is someone who reads more than they write ~*~

Marge Tindal

Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-06

Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores

4 posted 2001-03-13 12:34 PM

Corinne~
What wonderful writing this is.
To touch upon the memory of a friend,
in loving phrases is a gift.
Thank you for sharing the gift of Skye with me.
~*Marge*~

~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
[email protected]

Nan

Administrator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-05-20

Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA

5 posted 2001-03-13 07:25 AM

Having to say "Been there - Done that"... on a poem of this intensity isn't fun - true is it is... This is quite well done, my friend... I salute your talent yet once more..

Corinne
Member Ascendant

since 1999-10-28

Posts 5167
state of confusion

6 posted 2001-03-13 08:06 PM

Thank you for commenting, White Dove, Balladeer, Mysteria, Marge and Nan.

Corinne

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