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About This Poem

Spaces

People still show up, with food in hand, planning to force feed their sympathies
If you are one, ...I beg you, please do not notice the empty space beside her
I beg you, please do not console her with eyes cast low, by sense of guilty gladness
in the  knowledge that you aren't wearing her shoes, standing in her place 
You watch her smile a thank-you, turn away and shut the door
You watch the leaves swirl circles at your feet, as you scurry away, relieved and sure
aware that keeping the space between the two of you, will keep away the curse,
the broken heart, the empty house, the space upon the chair, the empty plate,
the empty bed....the dreaded silence everywhere
Ignore that space beside her if you can, and see instead the person she has always been

Do not fill the space with empty words, with an awkward glance upon your wrist
where time demands your every move, where someone waiting holds their love for you
Someone who shares a space, a meal, a couch, a bed, a dream, a home

Look beyond the trace of shock, numbness, despair, of sorting out this tragedy
She is still the girl she used to be,..ignore that space beside her if you can, at least this time



___________________________________________________________
Submitted for Black Eyed Susan's Contest: "Space"

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  1. Date: 2/28/2013 11:25:00 AM

    I love your mind the way you perceive and the perspective you have about life and all that surrounds you and especially the ability you have to share all of that with the rest of us.

  1. Date: 2/27/2013 12:58:00 PM

    Carrie, SoupMail coming. I hope I didn't mess it up. RAY

  1. Date: 2/27/2013 4:39:00 AM

    Carrie this is just beautifully written. I've read most all the poems here for this contest and yours touched my heart. Best Wishes, Connie

  1. Date: 2/26/2013 10:55:00 AM

    I have a daughter too, you know. And, I swell with emotions as I read your loss. I hope I shall never experience the depth of your sadness. Maybe the writing helps. Forgive me if I say too much! RAY

  1. Date: 2/25/2013 3:18:00 PM

    amazing poetry Carrie, so profound, and a meaningful message..

  1. Date: 2/24/2013 6:27:00 AM

    Wonderful on every level there is.. a warm heart..... hugs Michael

  1. Date: 2/24/2013 1:00:00 AM

    wow, Carrie, what an amazing write you have produced from Susan's theme of "space." I wish I could think up one as good as this. I'm just really struggling with this particular contest. This is really a thoughtful and sensitive prose.

  1. Date: 2/23/2013 4:12:00 PM

    This is remarkable, so deep. I love how you penned that we must see beyond one's appearance, lifestyle and see their true soul. Absolutely gorgeous piece. I see this as a winner for sure Carrie. Wishing you a beautiful weekend. Luv, Gail

  1. Date: 2/23/2013 3:59:00 PM

    Mercy me, Carrie...this surely hits home...I remember getting my Christmas bonus and giving a hundred bucks to a old homeless soul...Was it genuine or was I just easing my guilt?... Should I have given him the whole bonus? I think so...Have you ever heard the John Prine song 'Hello in There'?...this reminds me of that song...potent poetry my friend - Tim