Home » Poems » Jan Allison » A Matter of Life and Death

A Matter of Life and Death

You often claimed you were unwell Pure hypochondria - I could always tell Because you lied You’ve faked illnesses over many years Googling symptoms brought crocodile tears Because you cried When you really were ill I did not believe Now I’m all alone and been left to grieve Because you died Triple Stanza Couplet Tail-Rhyme Poetry Contest Sponsored by Charles Messina 05/28/20

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Aditi Mishra

Date: 7/7/2020 3:05:00 AM

You bring such varied shades to your poetry with artistic emotions Jan. This is heartfelt and brilliant. Congratulations on your win. Blessings and hugs :)

Anisha Dutta

Date: 7/4/2020 7:31:00 AM

Happy to see on First place.Big Congrats. Life is like that. It deceives.

John Watt

Date: 7/2/2020 1:14:00 PM

A sad tale of crying wolf. I imagine it takes up a lot of emotional and physical energy dealing with someone like that. Loved the song too. 'Off The Wall' is one of my Jan's favorite albums. Happy for your 1st place win! Congrats on another wonderfully expressed poem, Jan. Hugs ~ John

Curtis Moorman

Date: 7/2/2020 9:54:00 AM

Jan, you always put things in such great perspective no matter what your topic is nor the form required. That is what makes you such a gifted and admired poetess and a winner of contests time after time. Congrats, my dear friend!

Krish Radhakrishna

Date: 7/2/2020 8:14:00 AM

Congrats on your win! Lovely poetry with sadness and a message. Very nice

Charles Messina

Date: 7/2/2020 5:27:00 AM

Great write, Jan...a bit sad. Congratulations on your 1st place win! Hugs // Charlie xx

Lindsay Laurie

Date: 6/3/2020 8:24:00 PM

G'day Jan … doctor google often provides self diagnosis - thanks Jan - Lindsay

Old Buck

Date: 6/2/2020 10:16:00 AM

Jan: You know I never enter contests for so many reasons but do enjoy your entries for so many reasons. But I repeat myself, I'm glad you don't. Keep them coming and sharing with all of us on the soup. oldbuck

Jan Allison
Date: 6/2/2020 3:24:00 PM

I enter fewer and fewer contests but will keep on waiting when the muse is willing:-) hugs jan xx

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 5/31/2020 5:26:00 AM

Indeed sad and done so well!

Jan Allison
Date: 5/31/2020 6:26:00 AM

Thanks Kim I hope I got it right for the contest:-) hugs Jan xx

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 5/30/2020 6:46:00 AM

Fantastically executed and penned tail-rhyme my friend. I actually had forgotten about this style, and now I am "wowed" by it.

Jan Allison
Date: 5/30/2020 5:43:00 PM

I dont think I've written the form before Caren and enjoyed the challenge:-) hugs Jan xx

Gordon Mcconnell

Date: 5/30/2020 6:20:00 AM

Clever piece Jan, so very well penned indeed. Hope all is well with you and enjoying the sunshine. Blessings,Gordon

Jan Allison
Date: 5/30/2020 5:42:00 PM

thanks Gordon, all good here enjoying the sunny weather and spending time out walking and getting in the garden I hope you and your loved ones are fine:-) hugs Jan xx

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 5/29/2020 1:46:00 PM

- Google symptoms and crocodile tears ... I know them very well, Jan - ... the day they die ... they die alone ... sad but true - Luck in the contest and happy weekend :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Jan Allison
Date: 5/29/2020 5:13:00 PM

oh so true Anne Lise I couldn;t have put it better myself:-) hugs Jan xx

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 5/29/2020 9:10:00 AM

This is done so cleverly Jan - I do hope you win, this poem deserves it. Never tried this difficult style. Blessings, Jennifer.

Jan Allison
Date: 5/29/2020 5:09:00 PM

Thanks so much Jennifer:-) hope all is good with you:-) hugs jan xx

Joanna Daniel

Date: 5/29/2020 8:58:00 AM

Nice little write in a tough form, Jan:) hope you and yours are doing well:)

Jan Allison
Date: 5/29/2020 5:07:00 PM

thanks Jo all good here and the virus is losing its grip on the Island now with no new cases in 9 days. Hope all is good with you and your loved ones:-) hugs Jan xx

David Mchattie

Date: 5/28/2020 8:39:00 PM

Well penned on a complicated style. I've met a few people like this over the years. Stay well my friend.

Jan Allison
Date: 5/29/2020 5:06:00 PM

Thanks David:-) hugs Jan xx

Gershon Wolf

Date: 5/28/2020 5:54:00 PM

Classic theme - penned in really refreshing, interesting way. All ten of my thumbs up. Very, very good! :) gw

Jan Allison
Date: 5/29/2020 5:06:00 PM

thanks GW hope you had a wonderful birthday:-) hugs jan xx

Rhonda Johnson-Saunders

Date: 5/28/2020 5:29:00 PM

Wonderful lines, Jan, and so sad but true. Sometimes it's mental illness causing the perceived physical ailments or just a person trying to get attention. Either way, it's sad. That's a poignant and beautiful song you posted, too. Lots of luck, xx Rhonda

Jan Allison
Date: 5/29/2020 5:05:00 PM

Thanks Rhonda - a poem written for experience with a family member - no idea if she is still alive she broke all contact with the rest of us but its her decision. hugs Jan xx

Ilene Bauer

Date: 5/28/2020 3:07:00 PM

perfectly executed, jan! you've made your point so well and your rhyming is spot-on!

Jan Allison
Date: 5/29/2020 5:03:00 PM

Thanks Ilene:-) hugs Jan xx

Tom Cunningham

Date: 5/28/2020 1:35:00 PM

Sadly crying wolf can have tragic consequences, Well written Jan, good luck. Tom

Jan Allison
Date: 5/28/2020 1:39:00 PM

Yes having experience with a family member who has 'enjoyed' bad health it was good to write, my aunt used to get so cross when said person parked in a disabled bay then spent hours walking and carrying heavy shopping bags without her stick which she used as a 'prop' for her supposed ill health:-) hugs Jan xx

Rico Leffanta

Date: 5/28/2020 1:32:00 PM

Ooh, did you nail this one with a sledge hammer! Well done! Aloha! Rico

Jan Allison
Date: 5/28/2020 1:36:00 PM

Its actually cathartic to write .. about a member of my family no idea if she's dead or alive but I'd want a second opinion if I got a call to say she'd died lol as could get a best actress award for her performances over the last 30 odd years!:-) hugs Jan xx