2000 Miles Away
2,000 Miles Away
Sooner than expected, my dear mother died at the age of 70 in 1998; and I, the distant one, was 2000 miles away.
My oldest sister died after an auto accident at the age of 55 in 1999; and I? 2000 miles away.
In 2003, an older brother died before I could arrive;
he was 56, and I was 2000 miles away. A younger sister died suddenly, also in 2003; she was only 46: and I? Again, 2000 miles away.
Another younger sister died in the Fall of 2012; she was 56, and I was 2000 miles away.
My oldest brother was 79 when he died in 2013:
And I was 2000 miles away.
Never distant in my mind, but far away for a long time
All of my family lives in the Midwest and South; and I reside way out West, 2000 miles away.
Many years before, I had chosen to move and ‘go west young man’, 2000 miles away.
I learned sadly, that when illness or tragedy strikes
a loved one, it’s not good to be 2000 miles away.
For 38 years, I have been the distant one in my family. I have endured the pain of separation and often wanted to make a change from being 2000 miles away.
In the last days and hours of their lives, I was never there to walk with them, to talk, to kiss, to hold, or to touch; nor even to say, “Goodbye”.
No. I could only board a plane, and cry, simply because I was far away, over 2000 miles.
02082012 PS Contest, Far Away, Nayda Negron, P5
Copyright © Curtis Johnson | Year Posted 2016
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
Please
Login
to post a comment