Submit a Poem
Get Your Premium Membership
spacer
Pinterest button
Comments Inbox

 
About This Poem

My Prayer for Kevin

How could I forget this spot, Kevin
a serine Japanese garden 
we sat right here
and there is the river birch that brought us shade
it was about six years ago today

a warm breeze collects thousands of ripples and sends them over the pond’s soft surface 
you brought Heavenly, your new step daughter
and I brought Mika , your new favorite niece
it was the perfect play date for our children who were soon to be cousins
belly laughs echoed from the gazebo, as we dipped our toes in the cool  pond
splashing and kicking our fins as dandelion seeds parachuted  across  the water

today it’s quiet…

I notice the cracks in the sidewalk

ants moving  in circles

moss-covered rocks 

and turtles …

rhythmically darting their heads to peer above the water…

I miss you, Kevin

and your son that I knew so briefly

he was so tiny when you left us…

Hayes....

               what
                              a
                                       grand
                                                       name !


your wife remarried and moved out of state
She hides your son from us
afraid that he will love us like he did you
I know he must look just like you
blue eyes and long eyelashes
your extra wide shoulders and long arms…

a dead twig lies in the water where we once dipped our feet
there is no more laughter…
your mother is sad and your brother, Roger, has your photo on our mantle
we purchased a picture of you and affixed it to your grave 
you look so happy in that  picture  wearing your Buckeye  jersey 
a scarlet and grey flower are in the vase next to your photo

please guide your son to meet us one day, Kevin
direct his paths while you wait for us from heaven
Uncle Roger and Aunt Gwendolen will remind him of you

each 
          and
                    every
                                 last
                                           detail


in the meantime, 
please find a spot like this one 
with a towering birch  and cascading branches that twirl in  the wind
we will  sit and reminisce 
and share great big belly laughs…
this is my prayer, dear brother –in –law

 one 
         day 
                in 
                      heaven


By Gwendolen R.
6-18-12
A.gain Free Poetry Contest 
Sponsor	Chris D. Aechtner

Please Login to post a comment
 
  1. Date: 6/22/2012 12:04:00 PM

    I love fruits big time and peaches remind me of my friend G's peaches and cream complexion,ahhaa ,love your pics !going to see them again...

  1. Date: 6/21/2012 11:55:00 PM

    WHEN TOU DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS...let me know, ans I'll detour....you, and nikko wasn't playing fair..lol..DAMN GOOD INK....CONGRATS LADY!

    ML Avatar SCRIBE ML Date: 6/21/2012 11:55:00 PM Block poet from commenting on your poetry

    YOU*
  1. Date: 6/21/2012 3:46:00 PM

    gwen, congrats on your fantastic win, don't know how I missed this one..David

  1. Date: 6/20/2012 11:19:00 PM

    Gwendolen, this poem is a stand-alone winner. I struggled between this poem and nikko's because both are such emotional, personal poems. Thank you for supporting my contest!

  1. Date: 6/20/2012 9:05:00 PM

    I"ve gotta go check and see if I ever faved this beauty. Big congratulations on your masterpiece and its win.

  1. Date: 6/20/2012 11:21:00 AM

    Gwen this is such a beautiful heartfelt write, congratulations on your awesome win with this gem, love Wilma

  1. Date: 6/20/2012 10:27:00 AM

    SOOO BEAUTIFUL Gwendolyn!!! Congratulations on your well deserved win!

  1. Date: 6/20/2012 10:07:00 AM

    OH WOW...This is soooo beautiful..love every line!!! Congrats on your win!! hugs

  1. Date: 6/20/2012 9:42:00 AM

    Gwen, this one brought tears to my eyes. So well written! Congratulations on your win in Chris' contest. hugs, Catie :)

  1. Date: 6/20/2012 9:20:00 AM

    I knew this would place high! Oh shucks,Gwen, reading this gem just gave me lumps in my throat all over again and sad and just all the tumble of emotions. This is such a heartfelt write that really reflects love and sadness not just for Kevin for also for Hayes. Super congrats on this very beautiful and very moving write! Hugs to you! Btw my pleasure to help name your princess, oh coffee groundskeeper :) she is adorable--also, we usually write it as "anuman" hugs to you!! thanks for dropping by!

  1. Date: 6/20/2012 7:50:00 AM

    So beautifully and heart-breaking all wrapped up together in an unforgettable narration, dear Gwen. What a tender, emotional journey this was to read.

  1. Date: 6/20/2012 7:25:00 AM

    This had to win and it is better than the best,there is no need to place it ,its a winner by itself...I loved this Gwendy,your power of narration is gripping...for me you are the ultimate winner,no doubting that and i read no other after this,you have spoilt me silly with this write and i yearn to read nothing else,congrads my dear super gurlie!

  1. Date: 6/20/2012 6:38:00 AM

    Congratulations on your win in Chris' "A.gain" contest Gwen. Love, Carol

  1. Date: 6/20/2012 4:16:00 AM

    Gwendy ,I couldn't stop reading and I didn't want this to end..what a master story teller you are,May his soul rest in peace..this has stirred my heart so much Gwendy that I want to cry...Oh Kevin !I know him now,you are such a gifted writer and you have the art of putting your thoughts on paper so very eloquently....this is a piece of literature that needs a noble peace prize...I will nominate you every time my dear Gwendo...going to read this again and cry some more...

  1. Date: 6/20/2012 4:04:00 AM

    A well deserved win for this deeply felt poem, congrats, luv, Jag

  1. Date: 6/20/2012 3:28:00 AM

    A poignantly stirring write, Gwendolen. So sad to have lost Kevin, but also distressing to have lost contact with Hayes. Your rich images create a sad scene we can share with you. Beautifully done Gwendolen, should be a winner in the contest. With love, Mikki

  1. Date: 6/20/2012 2:57:00 AM

    A horrible tragedy, poignantly revealed... Congratulations on your win... Terry

  1. Date: 6/19/2012 8:32:00 PM

    The emotion left my eyes moist Gwen; I'm feeling the sorrow ofthings not quite understood but expressed with so much imagery that it becomes a work of art. Hope Chris loves it as much as I do. Love, Elizabeth

  1. Date: 6/19/2012 8:03:00 PM

    Gwen, this is OUTSTANDING work. I will croak if Chris does not place this VERY high. (You should choose this form of writing a lot. it suits you very well)

  1. Date: 6/19/2012 4:15:00 PM

    Rix, this is very emotional.. I have many loved ones I will see one day... again..I hope,,, There is 2 i want to reach immediately. Good luck with your heartfelt poem... always~PD

  1. Date: 6/19/2012 9:45:00 AM

    Deeply emotional poem that grips my heart. Glad of the laughs at the end.

    Grisetti Avatar Joann Grisetti Date: 6/20/2012 9:51:00 AM Block poet from commenting on your poetry

    Congratulations on your win.
  1. Date: 6/19/2012 9:26:00 AM

    Oh shucks....a sigh, a lump in the throat and chills-- that is what this poem does to me. How I do hope with you that you will one day get to see Hayes again and that he would get to receive your love first hand. Amazing and Very moving write dear Gwen!! I don't think you need luck for Chris' contest! Super hugs to you!

  1. Date: 6/19/2012 8:00:00 AM

    such a sad write, Gwendolen - beautifully written, as ever. A lovely tribute to Kevin - I hope his son will find you x

  1. Date: 6/19/2012 4:28:00 AM

    It shocks me to read this!!...Jag

  1. Date: 6/18/2012 11:10:00 PM

    Gwen, this is bleeding heart poetry. I almost don't know wot to type here....this is one of your most impressive poems that I have read.

  1. Date: 6/18/2012 11:10:00 PM

    This had murk gut twisted.....raw emotions babygirl. Helluva good work!

    ML Avatar SCRIBE ML Date: 6/18/2012 11:11:00 PM Block poet from commenting on your poetry

    My....typo
  1. Date: 6/18/2012 5:32:00 PM

    Gwen this words I have come to know and believe "True sons of their Father always find the way HOME" May he bless you and him a safe journey until that day. My prayers are with you both. Peace to one and all .

  1. Date: 6/18/2012 4:45:00 PM

    Oh, Gwendolen, this is such a sad but very powerful write my friend! I'm sure he felt the same way you do, an awesome sister-in-law to share life with! You paint a lovely, heartwarming picture with your emotional words! You will get to see your nephew again one day, I just know it! And that will put a definite smile on your face where there is a now a frown! The Lord knows what he's doing, just trust in Him and it will all work out! I'm sorry of your loss of losing Kevin! You're in my thoughts!