Tombstone I

3 Comments

Tombstone I

                                      Tombstone I

 

When I was  four or five

I swallowed staples in a magic effort

To impress a boy who had never seen stationary in his life

 

His parents’ faces turned ghostly white

Overheard "what a disappearance act the magician did"

They frightened us both to loud cry

 

Messenger sent out on foot to reach my parents overnight

 rushing steps companied by oil lanterns loom light

Massive remedies applied to save my life

 

Long night waiting, crowd gathering

Death seemed too fast approaching

fear of dying, I began stories telling

 

“All of you as witnesses to my death

Please bury me on top of the mountain

Plant a small tree as my tombstone

Into the soil which covers my tiny body

Upon my parents return from their journey

 sorrowful tears would water the tree

The tree would grow and blossom

I will hear their longing calling

Underneath from the shallow grave

They would pass out holding the growing tree

Knowing my spirit has returned to be their child again…”

 

Stunned audience broke to applause

  Laughers chased death into dawn

My parents arrived, everything turned out all right

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UnworthyFather commented on Tombstone I

07-01-2009

Very nice, Susan. Like Wheelsal, I can feel your heritage resonating in these lines. Great story. Great poem. Thanks for sharing. 10

wheelsal commented on Tombstone I

06-29-2009

I hear overtones of your heritage and you write so well from your depths..............................

StandingBear commented on Tombstone I

06-29-2009

A very thought provoking work. If i'd have been the boy i'd have certainly stopped the staples from reaching your sweet, tender lips. Great write.

Poetry is not a turning loose of emotion, but an escape from emotion.

T. S. Eliot (1888-1965) American-English poet and playwright.

susanthewinner’s Poems (30)

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Tombstone I 3
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Grandma (Born Jan 1909-Died Sept 1999) 2
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Weeping Willow 3
Stolen Childhood 2
To the man in the past 1
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Waif 0
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Silent Murder 0
Windowless Prison 4
Drunken Bride 5
Lonely House on Top of the Hill 3