In the Wake of Loss The Reaper struck in quiet shadows, Angel of Death breathed softly, took him home, In his wake we stand, shadows in the hollow, Knowing he's no longer suffering alone. Stroke after stroke, his body stole, A storm that tore through heart and soul, Worse than winds that howl and roll, A pain we carry, a silent toll. Now we can talk, of him, of his son, Memories flicker, shadows spun, But still the living face what’s begun— Another death, another one. Hearse on the avenue, black suits in line, More tears, more pain—oh, I dread that time, To watch his pain, to hear that chime, I wish I could disappear, make it sublime. The day of the service, I choke, I sway, In that dark place, I turn away, The rainbow’s memory, a fleeting ray, In the backseat, silent, on that day. Sisters in the shadows, now deserted, cold, Listening to “I wish I cared,” so old, While brothers stand firm, brave and bold, Rocks of strength, stories untold. Almost cried in the chemist’s aisle, Dizzy from flight, feeling fragile, Doctors’ calls, a lingering trial, Should I seek help, reconcile? In this storm of grief, I find my way, Holding on, afraid to stray, Yet wishing for peace, a brighter day, Till then, I carry this pain, come what may.
The 3 PM Shadow The 3 PM Shadow It’s Good Friday again, but where is the "good"? In the splinters of a cross, or the spilled, holy blood? How can torture be sacred? How is persecution a grace? When the world barely pauses to look at His face. The shops open late, a slow Sunday crawl, While families crowd tables and ignore the call. Even the cogs of the healers have ground to a halt, Leaving patients in limbo—through no one’s own fault. So forgive me, Great Maker, if I skip the oak pew, For I’m still a bit "cross," still a bit angry with You. I can’t weep for Your Son when I’m drowning in her, In the scent of the "white sticks" and the hospital’s blur. The fumes that I breathed while I stood by her side, While the "medical crap" took her out with the tide. You made us in Your image, or so the tale goes, But You left us defenseless against all these woes. Cancer and vertigo, dementia’s cruel theft— What kind of a Father leaves a daughter bereft? ...
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