Her Farewell Song~ #FormForAll @dVersePoets

She is sprawled across hospital sheets
Her eyes are bright, but somehow wrong
From the bed her voice repeats
Please sing for me, my farewell song.

Her eyes are bright, but somehow wrong
Her gaze is glassy, her voice is dry
Please sing for me, my farewell song
Please sing again, before I die.

Her gaze is glassy, her voice is dry
She has not forgotten a single note
Please sing again, before I die
Help me figure what this life's about.

She has not forgotten a single note
This has been her song for years
Help me figure what this life's about
Her voice much stronger than my tears.

This has been her song for years
Will serve to keep her legacy alive
Her voice much stronger than my tears
will linger long after she's died

Please sing for me, my farewell song
From the bed her voice repeats
Her eyes are bright, but somehow wrong
She lays sprawled across hospital sheets.

Samuel Peralta is treating us to the Pantoum for today over at the pub for FormForAll.  I'm just returning from a visit to see my grandmother who went into the hospital last evening.  It's been ongoing for sometime now, but this time seems a little different. So...I'm in desperate need of a drink, dear Poets! Really wishing dVerse had a franchise on the corner!

Comments

Well done! And moving. Sorry to hear about your grandma. Blessings to her and to you and your family as well.
I too wish there was more than just a virtual dVerse...I'd say have one on me.
henry clemmons said…
Such a sad piece. But very touching. A nice touch, a final song from a favorite person. I just looked at the comment above mine. I didn't read about your grandma. My condolences. A beautiful piece.
steveroni said…
I drink of your poetry, Tash. And, well...no hangover. But I DO have to read it again! Am I addicted?--grin!
PEACE!
steveroni said…
Sorry about your grandma. Hope she is at peace--your poem seems to confide that she IS.
Linda Kruschke said…
This is a beautiful tribute to your grandmother. It brought tears to my eyes. The subject worked wonderfully with the pantoum form. Your grandma would be proud. Peace, Linda
Brian Miller said…
i am really sorry about your grandmother...that pings my heart tash...i hope she is ok...i hpe one day i get one last song...that carries a lot of emotion for me...nice job on the form poet.
Anonymous said…
So sorry about your grandmother. Your form is like a song! Very lovely. k.
Claudia said…
oh tash..so sorry about your grandmother..a strong and moving write...Her voice much stronger than my tears...is what touched my heart most..
Susan said…
I hope you did, or someone did. How wonderful--the poem, wanting the song, being there for farewell, feeling able to write down these memories like a prayer. Praying in this form. Powerful.
vivinfrance said…
I'm sorry about your Grandma - you have made a fitting tribute poem for her.
Unknown said…
Sorry to hear about your Grandma Tash. Will keep her in my prayers. yeah, times like this surely do present a lure towards the bottle, but you did what I think most poets, the good ones anyhow, do, and that's take your emotions and build a masterful poem. Love the way your piece does have a natural lyrical quality to it, very difficult to do, considering the need to adhere to the poems repeating pattern. Outstanding piece. Thanks
Anonymous said…
I am so sorry to hear about your Grandma, Tash! This is just beautiful and I am sure if you read this out to her she would love it!
RMP said…
stunningly beautiful. you weaved your lines perfectly--the repetition of the form almost feels like a song itself. I think that adds beautifully to your words.
Susie Clevenger said…
So sorry about your grandmother. Goodbyes are hard even when we know they must be said. This piece is so moving and a perfect example of the poetry form.
Serena said…
What an amazing poem and tribute. It brought tears to my eyes. I'm just learning about the pantoum so this was a perfect example. Thank you!
lucychili said…
sending a big hug
The Silver Fox said…
Loved the structure of this... and it hit very close to home. Brilliant.
Hot Rod Pics said…
I was so touched to read here. First, this is an excellent poem. But more importantly, I feel your pain. My Grandmothers, especially Grandma Rose Piper, were so important to me, and still are. I can feel my Grandma Rose's love come to me in my times of most needing, these despairing days.

Several years ago, when I was literally battling 24/7 against a drug (crack) gang who had taken over the neighborhood by my church, I lived in constant combat for 18 months. But I won. They finally left our hood for good. The reason I shared that is that during that time, in between watching my security monitors to react at first sign of a Blood on property, someone gave me a $99 casio keyboard saying "You'll never learn to play this." Three months later, I performed a 1-hour concert of all original neo-classical compositions to a standing ovation. I had always wanted to learn piano, but while Grandma was alive, my father prohibited it, saying it would distract me from my more "important" studies (science, math). During that 3-months, I had no piano teacher, no piano music or books, not even an Internet connection. Just a $99 toy keyboard. I think it was a miracle. I think it was my grandmother's soul that must have guided me into a full understanding of musical theory, and specifically inspired those songs--the only beautiful ones I ever wrote.

I remember I first felt connected with you, Natasha, when you stumbled across my poem "this old place), and shared from your heart how it related to your Grandmother. I have taken time every day since then to think of you in positive ways, with energy some call prayer.

So, this long comment of mine is only to say, she will leave this body sometime, let's pray not soon, but she will never leave you, ever. Our soul is lifted into the Universe not by our own efforts, but on wings made from the love of others who we have touched. When the time does come, she will soar. And she will continue to bless you everyday.

We all love you, Natasha, and by attachment, your entire family.

Aum namo narayana, aum nama sivaya

http://poetry.stevepiper.net/2011/04/this-old-place.html

Peace.

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