Line In The Sand
3 min read
PREVIOUSLY SHOWN ON THIS SITE IN 2021
I can see this in my mind’s eye more clearly than when I witnessed her take her last breath: Another take on a momentous parting.
A strange time was ticking away.
A time that was anticipated often:
Imagined in moments of fear maybe,
For there is no knowing the reasons,
Or if there is, shame may obscure
To help diffuse regretted notions.
I watched her final breath and a
Tsunami of emotions broke my shore.
—-o—-
The air was thick with the motion of clouds,
Some faster than the eye could see,
Some obscuring the watering eye,
Others misleading as to their intent.
Yet here was I set freshly adrift
In a raft of diaphanous grief
That was truly neither sorrow nor joy.
I turned to flowers as a mark of respect:
Something that had real meaning.
I settled – as light as a feather,
On daisies – pure, simple, and white.
More a hope, more a wish, than a fact.
Was I doing what she wished?
I was not sure it mattered anymore.
Words popped out of my open mouth
That had been practiced throughout the night.
They were as pure as I could make them.
I looked at the ring of deceitful fairies,
lonely as a cloud topping what was left,
And at the ring of souls who came
To witness this final ’celebration’.
I spoke with wavering voice –
Blown by the winds of my life,
Modulated by memories embedded
In a sad, now ended, relationship.
The assembled remained silent.
The music – chosen at great length –
Was too loud and drowned solemnity.
There should have been reverential silence
But I didn’t hear it; not a single byte.
Softly, by devious mechanical deed,
The remains slid downwards and out of sight.
No curtain to hide them symbolically,
Just a sleight of hand trick – deception –
A final lie, a final illusion to top them all,
And a paradigm was gone to fire and ash.
At the door I refused my daisies,
I had them placed on actually forgotten bones.
I saw no point in my retaining them.
They had served their purpose I supposed.
What use a second-hand wreath to the living?
—-o—-
After, the air was thick with traffic fumes.
Backed up along the dual carriageway.
See, there were spindly daffodils
Growing on brake dust sprinkled verges
That I would likely never pass again.
They swayed in the breath of cars,
Bent to the gale of passing removal vans.
Her flowers. Our land of our fathers,
Our green green grass of home
Blighted by dirt, dust and sorrow.
Another line drawn in the sand.
It was ended.
© Allen Ansell 2017, 2022
About Post Author
When published on UKAuthors, Luigi Pagano said of this,
“Yet here was I set freshly adrift
In a raft of diaphanous grief
That was truly neither sorrow nor joy.”
These three lines sum up perfectly this poignant poem recounting the heart-wrenching departure of a loved one and the ensuing emotions.
Brilliantly penned, Allen. Thanks for sharing it.
Luigi.
Aw, this was a very nice post.
Finding the time
and actual effort to produce a superb article, congratulations.
I procrastinate a whole lot and don’t seem to get nearly anything done!
Heya i am for the first time here. I hope to to give something back and aid others like you aided me with your poetry.
This wonderful piece of writing about such a sad thing had me in tears. Beautifully written.
I got this site from my pal who shared with me this piece. Very nice.
Hi, this is an amazing read, people.
Keep up the good work.
Most individuals will go along with your feelings.
The experience of the words posted here was very emotional for me.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about such a life ending happenning. Those final lines are like written with gold!
Thank you Louisa, that is very kind of you. Allen
I don’t know how to express my feeling when read the last line “It was ended.” But, I just can say that I felt your depths. A very heartfelt poem…Really like this…Good job, Allen
Thank you Amanda.
Allen
Magical.. You have a very bright mind and you have a great talent and i always admire the way you are able to capture real emotions among readers and to be honest i felt the pain.This is a very good poem.
So nice to hear you think so, Joel. Thank you.
Allen
The first stanza itself, got me to say wow. The first stanza is impactful and sets the tone for the rest of the stanzas. The poem in all senses is a great one. The human race is making so many big mistakes that other beings are paying for, we get back what we give, and eventually, humans will suffer at last. An excellent poem.