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Poem

when I go to the cemetery to visit the tombs of the dead
and I leave the world by stepping through the ornate gate
that leads me on a winding road into the stillness
of scampering squirrels and chipmunks and hidden bird songs
I first arrive at the tomb of grandpa . . 
. 
oh, he was a wonderful man, I can still hear his laugh
I loved his farm and all the animals and his joy of life
but he died too young . . .

beside him lays grandma, she is the reason I am a writer
she said write it and I never stopped, she thought a cup of
tea would cure anything, a broken heart or whatever, one day
grandma we will be drinking tea up above, she died at ninety-four

I have to take another winding path now, deeper into the quiet
and I come to the tomb and place of tears quietly serene
fitting it is shaded by a weeping willow . . . .

this is where my sister is in repose since she was a child
I will never forget our play and her smiling, happy face always
I have asked God why a thousand times . . . .

Dad, the day you died I was shattered, my whole life crumbled
I never wanted to let go of your cold hand, but I had to let you go,
I came home and wrote a poem about you and that was the beginning,
a poet was born that day . . . .

Mom, there is not a day that I do not think of you, at dawn and when I
seek rest, you are with me always, you were my best friend, when you left
I became a balloon floating in the sky with no anchor to hold me in place
I have things to tell you mom . . . .

and the newest engraving in stone, my baby boy, who never saw the sky
who never took a breath of life, people say God needed another angel,
did he have to take mine, each time the dagger plunges deeper into my 
heart, and each visit leaves my heart broken again . . . 

my life is ravaged with death, the garden of my life weather-stained
but I am a survivor and as I step through the ornate gate, I re-enter
my reality mourning death but determined to go on . . .

_________________________
November 4, 2020


Poetry/Free Verse/six above
Copyright Protected, ID 11-1300-223-04
All Rights Reserved, 2020, Constance La France


Written for the Standard Contest, Six Relatives
sponsor, Caren Krutsinger, Judged 11/30/20

Third Place
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