A Voice From Beyond

To speak for those, who no longer have a voice,
were I to get it wrong, would they really have a choice?

No.., they didn't choose me as spokesperson, why would they?
I am not clairvoyant.
But they haunt my dreams still...cause me to rise, plead me to look back. 

They won't let me alone, point in fact.

“I am waiting patiently. Goodbye my darlings"
Bill didn't have enough water to write much more than this.
Born on Valentine's day, with his heart set on Chubby,
eight days to dwell on a love that almost was, now missed.  

Mia was a sad-eyed beauty, there's no denying that., 
she never got free the shadow cast, Ernie's early demise.
Though a mother's love, given and reciprocated, 
found a fondness binding, throughout her short life. 

Marty made the day special for friends and family,
never thinking of himself, a miracle and twin borne.
Forsaken in life's wishes, called only for justice seen, 
lived life fitting of a brother they'll always mourn.  

Save up the coins for the ferryman while you still can,
the days will bring swift recounting.
Leave lasting memory for love's empty hand, 
and debts of the heart ever surmounting.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

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Dietrich Avatar
February 7, 2021 at 10:38 AM
wow, a lover's triangle, huh? I just read your reply to my comment on this one. (I never see those unless I happen to peruse one's poem again like I did just now). Think of all the many interesting stories out there in this world!!
Wolf Avatar
May 31, 2020 at 3:02 PM
The last stanza is memorable; it takes my breath away. Superbly penned, Richard! Let's all put away some good deeds for the Life that's Coming... :) gw
Dawn Avatar
May 29, 2020 at 9:32 PM
Tears welling up. You’re gifted.
Krutsinger Avatar
May 22, 2020 at 9:40 PM
Sage advice "Save up the coins for the ferryman while you still can," - we never know. This second might be our last, this nanosecond even. I like the ethereal philosophy of this poem very much.
Roper Avatar
May 11, 2020 at 10:36 AM
Do we really have those times that people haunt us. I wonder, but once in a great while, just once in a great while I have those that come, call my name. I turn to see who has called my name and no one there. The voice sounds familiar or does it I wonder? Enjoyed reading your verse.
Theraven Avatar
May 17, 2020 at 1:49 AM
Eve, Perhaps one day the voice will be recognized..,and oddly familiar indeed. -Richard
Foli Avatar
May 10, 2020 at 11:00 PM
Special Greetings Quote The Raven. I enjoyed reading your poem this morning. You're a creative writer my friend. Thanks for reading my previous poems too. Stay safe and healthy please. Love and hugs.
Theraven Avatar
May 17, 2020 at 1:46 AM
Thank you too Gideon, You are most welcome. -Richard
Hawkins Avatar
May 8, 2020 at 12:26 AM
These troubled times seem to make us all think more deeply than we perhaps normally would. The number of deaths will keep on rising if the powers that be do not show compassion for others and a greater capacity for better decision making. Heart-wrenching, very sad like your very well-penned poem Take care... Shirley
Theraven Avatar
May 17, 2020 at 1:44 AM
Shirley, Never did I ever game? I hope I never win this one. Maybe it's the best thing, maybe it's the best thing for you, but it's the worst that could happen to me. -BB
Deschler Avatar
May 7, 2020 at 5:51 PM
This was quite a unique, interesting and thought-provoking poem to read ... and yes, we should all be putting more thought into what we leave behind for our loved ones to remember us by... Keep up the wonderful writing Richard!
Theraven Avatar
May 17, 2020 at 1:40 AM
Thank you Kelly. Hold on to today. -Richard
De Beaulieu Avatar
May 7, 2020 at 8:10 AM
Hello Quote The Raven, this poem is haunting. i love it. Enjoy your day my firend.
Theraven Avatar
May 17, 2020 at 1:39 AM
Darlene, Thank you for the emotive comment. Proof you still enjoy the life they wished they had. -Richard
Babbit Avatar
May 6, 2020 at 10:46 AM
THey haunt me as well, nicely written, one more for the memory book.
Theraven Avatar
May 17, 2020 at 1:35 AM
DM, We haunted souls, two renewed. -Richard
Proxenos Avatar
May 6, 2020 at 1:59 AM
Hi Richard, The many deaths daily haunt me also, I almost don't want to switch the TV over to the BBC or SKY or South African news from our Netflix. My heart breaks with the amount of deaths in America, Britain, Italy and Spain and every other country in the world - some of which were locked down too late by their Presidents or Prime Ministers. May they all be blessed and rest in peace. Hugs, Jennifer.
Theraven Avatar
May 17, 2020 at 1:34 AM
Hi Jen, There are many thoughts of loss today, this poem is from a loss suffered yesterday. The message can find us whole just the same. -Richard
Ball Avatar
May 5, 2020 at 9:44 AM
WoW! So much empathy here for those who just couldn't take it anymore. Then there are those who suffered in silence and finally died an early death not of their own choosing, This is too too sad. A fine write. Makes us look, really look at those who seem alone. God Bless, JB
Theraven Avatar
May 5, 2020 at 10:03 PM
Hi Judy, Thanks for reading this little Mayday story and commenting. -Richard
One Avatar
May 5, 2020 at 4:38 AM
You see dead people? A spiritual, psychic look at what the dead may say, if they had a voice.. Interesting choice of poetry... Always the best to read.
Theraven Avatar
May 5, 2020 at 8:46 AM
Silent One, Thanks for the comment. The Sixth Sense, maybe M. Night Shyamalan's best film. The stories of their lives can be fascinating to say the least. No, I don't see or hear another realm. Though some of my favorite people are now deceased. -Richard
Lamoureux Avatar
May 4, 2020 at 8:22 AM
Deliciously dark and intriguing. You had me from start to finish. I like poetry that draws me in. This is exceptional.
Theraven Avatar
May 4, 2020 at 10:12 AM
Hello Richard, Thanks for that illuminating comment. I'm visiting quotes today. Seems appropriate when all else fails. "When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer." -Corrie ten Boom
Sands Avatar
May 4, 2020 at 5:57 AM
Interesting and thought provoking. Well written Richard. Take care :)
Theraven Avatar
May 4, 2020 at 10:09 AM
Good morning Heidi, Don't dwell too much though not every story has a happy ending. -Richard
Hicks Avatar
May 4, 2020 at 3:43 AM
I imagine hearing so much heartache and sorrow from those beyond the grave would be enough to drive anyone insane ... unnerving to think about. I can tell by this poem in combo with your avatar name, that you have a fondness for the darker, somber side of things.
Theraven Avatar
May 4, 2020 at 9:42 AM
Hello Timothy, Thank you for the comment. Is it possible to appreciate the light without knowing the shadows? "All the variety, all the charm, all the beauty of life is made up of light and shadow." -Leo Tolstoy
Dietrich Avatar
May 3, 2020 at 2:18 PM
It sounds like these are the dead speaking from beyone the veil? It makes me curious to know some of the stories, such as the one about chubby!
Theraven Avatar
May 3, 2020 at 3:05 PM
Andrea, So..,you want to know about the love of Bill's life, Jessie Maude "Chubbie" Miller? Shall I tell you a tale of a lovers triangle? Of a renowned Aviator who vanished in 1933? An acquittal for murder of a love rival? Perhaps Bill's great nephew Andrew Lancaster tells it best. https://www.andrewlancaster.net/the-lost-aviator-trailer/
Pigeon Tart Avatar
May 3, 2020 at 8:12 AM
This is so settling, unsettlingly so. Lovely done. xomo
Theraven Avatar
May 3, 2020 at 3:11 PM
Happy Sunday Maureen, Thanks for this interesting comment. I love that Stevie Wonder song in your Carpe Diem for Jonathan. Diana singing Peel Me a Grape, Send out for scotch, boil me a crab Cut me a rose make, my tea with the petals Just hang around, pick up the tab Never out think me, just mink me Polar bear rug me, don't bug me New Thunderbird me, you heard me I'm getting hungry, peel me a grape -David L. Frishberg
Pandit Avatar
May 3, 2020 at 6:54 AM
You speak well for those who don't have a voice...awesome message in your final stanza, Richard.
Theraven Avatar
May 3, 2020 at 3:16 PM
Vijay, Thanks, there are hundreds of untold stories, unsung heroes, and even some that lost their heads. -Richard
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