My Parents Goodbye’s

 

Father

It was a surprise attack

No, it was a sneak attack

Damn those heart attacks

I never said goodbye

 

I was a teenager

Father was a salesman

His last day he worried about the numbers

The next day he was and worried no more

I never said goodbye

 

I remember him in bits and pieces

Like a box of popcorn

The only memories are the bits and pieces left on your shirt

I never said goodbye

 

Mother

Her way to exit

Was no surprise attack

Cancer

Cancer, like a cat, plays with you

The game had several rounds

Lasted years

 

We said goodbye

In that final hour I stroked her leg

I felt like a seven year old

Holding on to her dress

Don’t lose me Mom

We said goodbye

 

Father and Mother

Mother’s long goodbye

Father’s quick exit

I realize now

Life is one long goodbye

Final words

Are in the living

 

____________

Friend

Friend

At times

Most times

I long

To be alone

At times

Most times

I’m insulted

By a knock on the door

At times

Some times

I enjoy

The company of friends

But understand this

All times

Every day

I crave my solitude

The clock and I

Have a relationship

We do not like to share

Time is a very jealous friend

Being alone is time absorbed

Absorbed alone with my universe

It’s how I share this galaxy

So say it again

And again

At times

Most times

I long

To be alone

To be alone

Is the sum

Of me

Of me

Missing you

Oma

Oma

My grandmother died of pneumonia.

In nineteen fifty three

I was seven

I hardly remember her.

So long ago

yet

I still feel her love.

Words

Words

The old man was dying trying to speak.

One more thought was all he could sneak.

By the bed many a ear

He took a painful breath

And spotted his dear

who sat so near.

Then, he said

two words.

Dead

Bumper Sticker

Bumper Sticker

Saw a bumper sticker

R.I.P Dad, Fuck cancer

Mine would read

Tornado’s work magic

What’s happening in America to day

I asked myself at the movie’s

Saw parents with two and three and four years old

At an R rated movie

Scenes of sex, murder, drugs, galore

Young brains absorbing all the gore

Texting, phone calls, and even more

It’s all about me and I and no one else

Saw a bumper sticker

R.I.P Dad, Fuck cancer

Mine would read

Tornado’s work magic

In the car – I heard it all

Country songs praising our men of shore

It’s memorial day and let’s observe

Parades, speeches with many words

Meanwhile men with minds so sick

From deeds vomiting can not erase

Are left alone as they cry out for help

Budgets don’t allow proper care

Individuals go on each and every way

As these men end their days

Texting, phone calls, and even more

It’s all about me and I and no one else

Saw a bumper sticker

R.I.P Dad, Fuck cancer

Mine would read

Tornado’s work magic

Tornado’s do work magic as in the magic of hope

Heard of people dying to save

Heard of people giving all

Heard of people displaying an American gift

Heard of people sharing their human gift

To help and heal and sit with the sick

Thank you, you roaring beast

With your twisting tail whipping free

You have lifted a people’s eyes

Beyond the me and I

Saw a bumper sticker

R.I.P Dad, Fuck cancer

Mine would read

Tornado’s work magic