One day before
Gray sky turns April
The weight is already here
Gathered like flood waters
Black behind my eyes
Memories press down
Like tombstones
Like leaves piled by wind
In a hollow
How many miles
From here to there
How many years
And no bridges between
Within lies the dust
Of faded roses
A cracked smile
A whisper of prayer
Eyes of fair blue
Smokey with the past
Still he waits
A ghost in rosary
I cannot reach
No hand can grasp
But yet I wave
Once more in passing
April again
28 comments:
OH this was so lovely and evocative of something long gone. Really lovely.
"how many years and no bridges between" is a wonderful line. And I love the title.
A beautiful ode to April.
"A ghost in rosary"
This one is rather special Charles and a favourite with me :-D
Love the eyes of fair blue smokey with the past.
great lines all throughout, and a very nostalgic overall feel. nicely done!
Ello, thanks. It's an ode to my dad, who died in April 38 years ago.
Farrah, April is definitely a time to feel renewed, but also to remember what has passed.
Miladysa, thanks. I'm glad you liked it.
Julie, thankee. My dad's eyes were blue, but all the kids have brown.
Greg, thanks. I was definitely feeling nostalgic.
My mom & dad died in April, too (the 8th & 7th, respectively.) *big hugs* I love you...
"I cannot reach
No hand can grasp
But yet I wave
Once more in passing
April again"
Sadness, but resignation and ultimately, acceptance...lovely poem Charles.
I'm getting the emotion. Strange, I'm married to a poet, yet I don't always understand the words, but feeling what it means, a little like looking at a painting and understanding the strokes, is often enough for me.
Learning that this poem is an ode to your father takes it to another level Charles.
I have read it many many times now and I am deeply touched by your words. In my mind I have changed the months as I read it to represent the months my parents passed away.
I would not be surprised if this one does not become very well known.
M
Wonderful poem, Charles! :*) Thanks for sharing this with us.
Beautiful work. Odd too that it's as evocative of April here in the SOuthern Hemisphere (autumn) as in the Northern.
You're good at this!
Love the melancholy. I see in the comments that "April Again" is an ode to your father; very nice.
I really enjoyed this. And then to find that it is for your father, that made it even more special.
Lana, April would seem a time for memories.
Lisa, thanks :)
Middle Ditch, I think poetry is primarily a feeling. The words convey it poorly.
Miladysa, thanks for your kind comments. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Demon hunter, thanks for reading.
Steve Malley, I guess April is a bit of a transition month in many ways, and many places.
Danette, thanks. I appreciate it.
Travis, I always think most often of him around this time of year. He was a big gardner and he would have been planting about now.
So sensitive...so hopeful...Spring give so many promises...maybe love is one of them...:-D
Charles,
beautiful. Like Miladysa, I really like "A ghost in rosary."
I was going to say the same thing as Ello. My favorite line was about the bridges.
Lovely tribute to April.
You had a post about your father not so long ago. It was poignant. I hope these writings will keep growing, perhaps into a book...
What they said.
Poem makes me want to howl.
Fancy, thank you.
Erik, I almost ended the poem with that line but didn't feel it was complete.
Christineeldin, I've written quite a few memories down about my father but have never considered a book really. I didn't know him that long in many ways. He died when I was 13, but if I ever do a memoir of any kind he'll be prominently in there.
Bernita, thanks, I much appreciate the kind words.
Yep, a ghost in rosary--wow. Ya gotta get this one published somewhere. Not a wasted word anywhere in the whole poem.
Very lovely poem tragic and yet sweet. Good work.
"A ghost in rosary." Just love it. I really think this is so special. Nice job.
Donnetta
Billy, thanks. In retrospect, I think the stanza with "dust" and "roses" is weak. Somewhat cliche, but I may be able to fix that.
Sarai, thanks.
Donnetta, thanks to you too. I appreciate the kind words.
Charles,
It's a good thing I read this poem after I'd produced my current blog,instead of before.
Your poem can be quite a catalyst
Such a beautiful poem, Charles. Love it!
Penned by a true master and just raging with intrigue and greatness.
So inspiring~
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