A Lament For My Uncle, As His Day Approaches

Steel resolution, made a thousand times
To reach across black rift between closed hearts
Carefully constructed, a thousand lines
Rose incantation, enchanted restart

Dim hourglass of the blind excuse dancer
Clings desperately to its final grains
Dark wolf’s mouth slavers, he smells your cancer
Speak now, or forever we keep these pains

Knock on your door, thunderous echoes fade
Younger guilt and fear restrain me no more
Resolve not weakened, steady hand not stayed
Blade drains poison, flowing blood you ignore

One thing stands clear at your onrushing end:
It takes just one to break, but two to mend.

4/26/16

©
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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

A  Avatar
July 17, 2016 at 5:59 PM
Tom, Great Penned sonnet win.... SKAT
Selfa Avatar
June 1, 2016 at 6:32 AM
A great work all throughout Tom! Congratulations! :) _Hans
Quigley Avatar
June 1, 2016 at 11:38 AM
Thank you, Hans, and thanks for reading!
Johnson Avatar
May 30, 2016 at 8:14 PM
Congratulations on your win. Love, Joyce
Quigley Avatar
May 30, 2016 at 8:43 PM
Thanks, Joyce!
Nau Avatar
May 30, 2016 at 6:25 PM
Ah EXCELLENT and a 7. Perhaps since I lost a husband to Cancer very young, I sincerely Grok this one. You used such artistry and honesty in your choice of the dark words. This was no easy feat to tell of the pain of cancer. . . And the loss.
Quigley Avatar
May 30, 2016 at 8:44 PM
Thanks, Edlynn! I appreciate your words.
Scars Avatar
May 30, 2016 at 6:00 PM
Tom, congrats on your placement in the contest :)-luloo
Quigley Avatar
May 30, 2016 at 8:46 PM
Thanks, Laura!
Medders Tobechi Avatar
May 30, 2016 at 4:47 PM
A very sad and beautiful sonnet,,,Congratulations
Quigley Avatar
May 30, 2016 at 8:46 PM
Thank you, Janis!
Haight Avatar
May 30, 2016 at 4:11 PM
So powerful and sad, Tom. You have expressed this pain so well in your well-written Sonnet. Congrats on your win in the contest. Sandra
Quigley Avatar
May 30, 2016 at 8:47 PM
Thank you, Sandra!
Lindley Avatar
April 28, 2016 at 7:10 AM
So sad that I felt the blackness in that coming cloud.. Top level poetry my friend. At7 and ADDING TO MY FAV LIST. SOUPMAIL ON THE WAY.
Quigley Avatar
April 28, 2016 at 10:02 AM
Thanks, Robert!
Delaney Avatar
April 27, 2016 at 1:46 AM
Powerful write, Tom: The final line is awesome. Forgiveness heals the one who forgives as well as the one who receives that forgiveness. Best, SuZ
Quigley Avatar
April 27, 2016 at 9:23 AM
Thank you, Suz!
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace