His wide and varied tastes in music filled
the crowded chapel, and became a thread
of silk for memories of things he'd said;
things suffered, hoped, endured; things he would build
without religion's comfort, he who'd willed
for none of that. Resilience seemed bred
in him. Unreal, I thought, him being dead,
with all that life, those plans still unfulfilled.
That wild conglomeration in his brain,
prognoses, chemo', surgery: the strain
itself was killing some. He knew the score,
but was determined always for one more
small triumph. Here I'd use a future tense -
to some, if not to him, it might make sense.
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27 comments:
Meaningful words, Dave.
I totally get this! My post today was something similar. Good old synchronicity. :D
Just spent a happy half hour catching up with some of your posts - well worth the re-acquaintance after my time out!
To some, if not to all, it keeps making sense and always will. Of course, I only speak from a personal experience.
Hi Dave,
A lovely tribute. So many aspects to a life and those who have the will to live it.
You've aptly captured with few words. As Derrick said, a lovely tribute.
beautiful......
Hello, Dave. Another wonderful poem. I offered a mini-review on my own blog today. Hope you can take a look. You've inspired me. Thanks.
http://sweetsandtarts.blogspot.com/
Hello thre Dave. I just spent a good half hour reading through your blog. You certainly have a beautiful gift for poetry & photography. Im happy to read it and thank you for sharing it here.
Your photos are wonderful! I love the info you write with each one. It helps one appreciate the subject so much more. Wonderful captures!
On the umbrella wall art... still trying to bribe my husband with letting me decorate in a rain theme. LOL I love the rain; its just so peaceful.
Keep up the wonderful posts as I look forward to reading more!
Heartfelt and beautiful.
Gracious, as well.
Dear Dave, I rarely enjoy rhymes, but these sound perfect, sober and spontaneous. The "d" and "n" and "e" all contribute to give shape to a great elegy.
Someone you were very fond of?
Very thought-provoking poem Dave - and a fitting tribute. The last two lines I particularly like.
Very interesting poem. "Unreal, I thought, him being dead, with all that life, those plans still unfulfilled." Not ready to leave, how many of us are not ready to leave when we do?
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Magnificent tribute. If he had to go, he went on a triumphant note; resilient and full of life to the end; deeply admired.
You did that well.
Dave, neither your email address nor your web page are accessible, I've tried both. I've left a thank you note on my blog, that Wordsworth prelude is really not bad at all.
Beautiful tribute, Dave. I don't think we humans are ever prepared for death. It always seems unreal.
That's a very finely tuned piece, Dave, and a moving one.
Rhyme, rhythm and narrative all in fine balance in this excellent poem, Dave.
As usual, there's a line (or a few) in your poems that jumps up at your and demands to be carried and held. This is the one this time for me:
'Here I'd use a future tense -
to some, if not to him, it might make sense'
I find in those sixteen words (including contraction) a will to live and the resignation to lose. Many thanks.
Greetings from London.
Natalie
Nice to know it's still around.
Jinksy
Welcome back! Hope you enjoyed your time out. You were missed.
The Green Stone Woman
Thanks for that. Useful to know.
Derrick
That's very true. Difficult to choose the significant ones.
Karen
Thank you for that. Much appreciated.
The Watercats
Thanks.
SugarCain
Thanks for that. Will definitely look you up again.
-Christina-
Many thanks for the kind comments, they are all useful feedback. I have to say that I greatly enjoyed browsing your blog, and wish you outstanding success in bribing your husband!
Carl
Thanks for that.
Conda
Appreciate the response.
Tommaso
Useful comment, thanks. I, too, am not usually strong on rhymes.
The Weaver of Grass
Much thanks for the feedback.
Nancy
Indeed, very few I imagine. Enjoyed the blog.
Friko
Will look into it - again! Ah, me. Thanks for your help.
Willow
I think that is probably very true.
Maekitso
Thank you, the feedback is very useful.
Dick
Useful comment, thanks. I did want to avoid being too Te tumpty tum!
A Cuban in London
And very many thanks for that.
Having buried my own dad, not too long ago, these sorts of poems always touch me. I'm sure this person in your life would be proud to have this work of art to memorialize him. It sounds as if he was quite a remarkable man and you've done him credit.
Kat
So beautifully expressed, David. Life brings these moments to us -- "Unreal, I thought, him being dead, with all that life, those plans still unfulfilled." For me it was the death from cancer of a loved husband of 34 years. You've expressed the thoughts and emotions so well.
Often times, music can flesh out words and show much about the individual. I'm glad they played varied music for him. Poignant memories of your friend.
Tara
Welcome and thanks.
Poetikat
So sorry to hear of your dad. Yes, he was a remarkable chap, someone I had not known for too long and would have liked to get to know more.
Mary
Yes, as you say, life does bring these moments. Losing your husband like that must have been very hard to take.
Ronda
Indeed. It seems the music was all chosen by him and his own CDs were used for it.
wow! how totally lovely your tribute! and i, like another poster, absolutely love the last few words of future tense making sense! love it! and thanks so much for dropping by one of my places - please come again soon - peace - jenean
It reminds me a lot of my best friend, that died when we were 26, cancer of course, in 3 month it was all gone.
But like Dean he was also determined to win once more, he was so full of life, and so gratefull for what he got. Even when he was in awfull pain looking at him made you smile. He was a hero
Very nicely put. I think he would have been proud.
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