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That Day, a Life Crushed

That Day, Life Crushed I was resting on a lake dock that was in deep decay it ran fifty yards out into the seamless water that day my baby brother had went to swim with his friends a normal summer day that shone with splendor and peaceful was the soft blowing wind only fate was awake and moving ever forward. There I was in peaceful solitude , resting gazing at the lapping waves as they spoke ignorant of what had taken place only moments before the passing of a young and promising life, my brother. Sun still beamed, wind still blew and life changed a truck came racing across the bridge I saw my best friend waving at me franticly then I heard, I knew tragedy had befallen somebody somebody I loved dearly. Moments later, the force of truth crushed me into a ball it was as I feared, a death, an unimaginable horror my baby brother was dead, my fourteen year old baby brother gone, gone , gone! Electric current had destroyed his life destroyed my life, sent me into a seven year rage I said my goodbyes in a quiet rage and vowed that God, God would pay for this! And so it began a terrible journey into a dark abyss one that consumed and slowly ate my soul my soul it ate with relish and glee. I became a punisher of God! Yes, such misery did I heap out by the bucket by the ton and ate it's glory until- Seven years later, light came into me as I slept I woke one morning to find that the one punished was ME! God had told me but I refused to hear Now I heard and that truth crushed me again! The road back took time but seven long years was over! life returned, joy returned! Majestic love returned to reclaim it's treasure-- my soul! My soul rejoices to this day, this day I see God stayed with me as I ran away! I, he that runs no MORE! Robert J. Lindley 06-30-2014 My first ever write about my brother, Billy Joe Lindley fourteen year old and the girls adored him, that summer electrocuted by a faulty electric pump at a friend's house by the river. 1976, I think about him every day since, he was an angel compared to me and why, why did I live! ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- For the Sad contest.....Any Sad Poem, sponsor, Broken Wings

Copyright © | Year Posted 2014




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Date: 11/5/2015 2:43:00 PM
A terrible loss my friend. I pray you heal with sharing this heartfelt write. Congratulations on your win.
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Date: 11/5/2015 2:17:00 AM
Such a sad loss, Robert, and I can relate to your anger, despair, redemption and deep understanding. May your healing continue, along with ours, in this broken world. Love to you and yours, Viv
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Date: 11/4/2015 4:23:00 PM
Heart-wrenching and EXTREMELY compelling to say the least Robert...My condolences on the loss of your baby brother. The grieving process is a long, hard road and I am SO glad that God showed you the truth and guided you through this tragedy...Congratulations - Tim
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Date: 11/4/2015 3:46:00 AM
A deep verse my friend. Congratulations for your wonderful WIN! ;-)
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Date: 11/3/2015 9:15:00 PM
I'm glad you were able to find your way out of that hell. Terrifically sad tale. Congrats on your win.
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Date: 11/3/2015 5:40:00 PM
Robert, this is a sad and touching piece. In such times when we loose a loved one, one could easily blame God. I know this pain very well I lost my sibling we he was ten. I'm so glad you found your way back to God. Congratulations my friend on your winning it was well deserved:-) Alexis 7
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Date: 11/3/2015 3:25:00 PM
I am so touched by your sad story, Robert, and how you eventually came through your terrible journey. Very moving. Congratulations on your win. Sandra
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Date: 11/3/2015 3:13:00 PM
Thank you for telling your story, Robert, I don't know what to say,, just hugs. I was 29 when I lost my 21 yearold sister of anurism in my home and it took a few years to get over the guilt I went through!,but I do want to congratulations on your win! Hugs Eve
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Date: 11/3/2015 1:00:00 PM
Robert, Congratulations on your Any Sad Poem win. LOVE **SKAT**
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Date: 11/3/2015 5:57:00 AM
oh, Robert...As painful as it was, I'm thankful that you shared your personal thoughts here about Billy Joe. "God stayed with me as I ran away." Inspirational!
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Date: 11/3/2015 1:41:00 AM
Congrats on ur superb win Robert with this amazingly beautiful expression!
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Date: 7/3/2014 8:21:00 AM
My God, Robert. What a tale you have told. I am happy for you that you have finally written about it and shared it with us. You are an ever growing unique individual, my friend. The unconditional love of God destroyed the darkness that held you hostage. So. happy you made it through. You are an inspiration to me and I thank God for that. This will go in my Faves. Thank you my friend.... Robert.
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Robert Lindley
Date: 7/3/2014 8:54:00 AM
Thank you my friend. It is indeed a great honor to me that you have chosen to fav it. I appreciate that very much!!! I too, fav those writes that truly hit my heart! Thanks!!!!
Date: 7/1/2014 8:06:00 PM
Oh Robert, that is one brilliant poem, to lose a member of your family must be so heart breaking, you lived to remember him and believe it or not he is looking down on you, think of all the happy moments you both shared my friend.R.I.P. Billy Joe, lovely but sad read, take care my friend...........love to Riza and Justin.....Vera..........
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Robert Lindley
Date: 7/2/2014 5:28:00 AM
Thank you so much Vera. Thirty -eight years ago and it still hurts. First time I've ever been able to write about it. Surely that is progress my friend.
Date: 7/1/2014 1:03:00 PM
wow, a gripping story... sad to hear this, robert.. i am touched.. huggs
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Robert Lindley
Date: 7/1/2014 3:51:00 PM
Thank you very much my friend. Life gives and it takes away. We must learn to live with both actions.
Date: 7/1/2014 12:31:00 PM
Robert moving, heartbreaking, and very well written... a sad loss for you and your family....David
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Robert Lindley
Date: 7/1/2014 3:50:00 PM
Thank you David. That was 38 years ago and the pain I can still remember like yesterday. The rainbow is I have such a loving family now..
Date: 7/1/2014 7:38:00 AM
Life issues some hard blows sometimes..I know that this hit you at a very bad time in your life as well..Teens are going through enough without having to deal with such a great tradegy..It is good that you worked through the death and came to realize that God was there and it was you who left and blamed Him..God did not do the deed but the faulty pump wire did the deed..Someone should have been more up to date with their repairs but accidents are what they are accidents..Satan uses things like
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Robert Lindley
Date: 7/1/2014 3:49:00 PM
Thanks my friend. Yes, such hurt is often used to turn us bitter . Yet, God can return us if we only let him!
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Sara Kendrick
Date: 7/1/2014 7:40:00 AM
that happening to bring us away from God, to ruin our influence and to destroy us as humans..I am so glad that you are okay now and are able to write about it..Sara
Date: 7/1/2014 1:41:00 AM
Robert, I'm so glad healing has finally come. God understands...This must have been gut wrenching for you. All the questions...You worded your journey SO well. I've been on this journey, except I watched my mother slowly die...MS. With my childhood came the awareness that Mom wasn't Ok. I watched her get stitches, burn her face, fall, become incoherent, cry, and wish for death. Life is cruel at times, and yet...we live with hope of a better day. Touched by your right. Celebrate life. God knows.
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Robert Lindley
Date: 7/1/2014 3:47:00 PM
So sorry my friend to read you also travelled such a tragic and painful journey. Truly God heals..

Book: Shattered Sighs