A Tribute To Carolyn's Poetry

Searing Pain Reemerges -by Carolyn Devonshire searing pain reemerges each time I pass the hospital creeping up to burn my eyes subsiding with time, but never forgotten when the doctor gave his prognosis all Dad’s children were there blades of hopelessness hit my heart cutting it into pieces instructions came in his living will we did as he requested wishing I could take this last journey with him but knowing he would want us to thrive my hand on his, I bowed my head the puddle beneath me grew with each tear another loving memory another agonizing drop many minutes seemed to pass after machines were disconnected too many minutes too many memories -------------------------------------------------- Carolyn's poem about losing her dear Dad brought tears to my eyes- remembering how a doctor told me and my younger brother- as sharp "blades of hopelessness hit my heart"- there was no resolve- he would soon be gone. Carolyn's words echo my feelings that day when I too said goodbye- and how my life changed without his presence and love and, like her, my "searing pain reemerges" to stab my heart each time I'd pass that place- the hospital where I said my final goodbye. She vividly brought to life deep emotions with her skill in imaging this lasting pain with her well-chosen, heartfelt, poetic, words, of her own sadness- losing her beloved Dad. Below is a final stanza from a poem I wrote, entitled, "Threnody For My Father" that shows my connection with Carolyn's sad poem. "I stand here in the shadow of death's sting. Oh, Dad, I feel your pulsing spirit hand. Come lead me to a green and hopeful spring as it was- when you walked this earthen land." August 24, 2021 Contest: Celebrating Carolyn's Poetry: An Uncontest Poetry Contest Sponsor: Andrea Dietrich