Skip to main content

Grief Next Door


Departures


Always 

going away, 

Footprints 

in grey carpet 

lift and fade.

 

Night is charged, 

ripples with 

displeasure. 

The neighbor 

on the phone 

says a big storm 

is comin in. 

Back from rehab 

four weeks, 

he knows storms.

And shame. 


You come

And go 

With the wind,

Forgive us our

Sins,

I reach back 

for you,

And nothing’s there

But air. 

(There’s Nothing

but air there.)


He’s been home 

too much. 

I've started 

to look for 

Brown paper

Bags in his 

hands. 

He takes the 

Trash out, heavy 

Bags with bottles

That clink and

Rattle when he

Walks. Oooh.   

 

You come

And go 

With the wind,

Forgive us our

Sins,

I reach back 

for you.

Nothing’s there

But air. 

 

Always 

going away, 

Footprints 

in grey carpet 

lift and fade.



(C) 2024 BMI

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

You Already Knew

  Remind me what you said Just before the sky broke.  New white sandals, Cuffed shorts Embroidered and hemmed  Just above the knee Every inch exploring Braids twisted in hope, Nothing is missing, But everything is gone.  Unwinding. I speak… listen. I fly… walk. I move… still. But, you already knew. In the park, children playing Through the haze, sunbeams swaying Trees whisper their ancient lore And the world turns, evermore In each face, a story to find In each heart, a piece of time Unwinding. I speak… listen. I fly… walk. I move… still. But, you already knew. Unwinding. I speak… listen. I fly… walk. I move… still. But, you already knew. Remind me what you said, just before the sky broke. (C) 2024   BMI. 
Post a Comment
Read more

Six Years Old

  The first time I broke I was 6 years old and my aunt told me My daddy was gone. I brought him cards I looked outside too, I checked his room, But, daddy I couldn’t  Find you.     Before you left, did grandpa say: “I will take care of them for the rest of my days?” Before you left, Did grandpa say: “I give you my word,  it will be okay?” “You have permission  to fall away.”   The next time I broke, 5 weeks had gone by And mama told me that  Good men die. Grandpa was so strong, It was just a test. Then one dose,  two dose, cardiac arrest. I didn’t bring him cards I didn’t check his room, Because grandpa  It was just too soon. The first time  I broke in half I was 6 years old and… And my innocence was gone. Oh my innocence was gone. God my innocence was gone.   My innocence was gone. Oh my innocence was gone. (C) 2024 BMI
Post a Comment
Read more