Breathe Close To Me

Breathe close to me, let not your head droop 
nor your face grimace in fierce grief, 
for when I must leave, all will not leave with me, 
I promise....

The memories we made together 
will sit safe inside your mind's nest.
I'll leave the photos too: I can't take them with me, 
so you'll have the proof we were young once, 
both pretty and foolish, drawn together like
two bees put in a jar, buzzing round each other 
until their disparate sound becomes a kind of music. 

The photos and memories can take you back to all 
the places we loved in Italy and France and that 
windblown prehistoric Southern beach where 
our hearts first linked in tandem as flesh merged 
and the monk-like sun set slowly, silently, o'er 
that endless and holy ocean....

Yet they lie, those photos, static remembrances of 
our youth and middle years, for no canvas or brain 
can ever seize our love, the living thing it is, 
unseen but tangible as a hand, vulnerable yet 
enduring past anger, illness and even death... 
because time cannot diminish this Being 
born between us....
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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Merryman Avatar
March 28, 2021 at 7:22 PM
A beautiful, touching poem, L.J.! Congrats on your win! Blessings, Kim M
Carber Avatar
March 29, 2021 at 2:04 PM
Thanks Kim!
Hamilton Avatar
January 5, 2021 at 6:52 PM
This is a wonderful free verse L.J I always enjoy your writing, congrats on a nice win!
Carber Avatar
January 6, 2021 at 11:28 AM
Thank you, John, much appreciated-- and may you have a good 2021!
Neumann Avatar
May 25, 2020 at 3:39 AM
Wonderful. Congratulations on your win in my contest, Kai
Carber Avatar
May 25, 2020 at 11:05 AM
Thank you, Kai, for the honor--
Mcgee Avatar
May 24, 2020 at 6:50 AM
This is a fav for me...you had me at ..will sit inside your minds nest. Congratulations on your premium win~
Carber Avatar
May 25, 2020 at 11:07 AM
Thanks Jeanne-- and yes, I'm always happy when I can get a metaphor that works well--it ain't easy!
Mishra Avatar
May 24, 2020 at 6:31 AM
This is an amazing write! Beautiful memories that remain. Congratulations on your win :)
Carber Avatar
May 25, 2020 at 11:07 AM
Thank you, Aditi--I'm blushing!
Chiri Avatar
December 24, 2019 at 9:28 AM
Wow LJ this was amazing! Congrats on your top win!;)
Carber Avatar
December 24, 2019 at 1:52 PM
Thank you twice over, Brenda!
Chiri Avatar
December 24, 2019 at 9:28 AM
I guess congrats once more!;)
Marcum Wong Avatar
August 20, 2019 at 12:32 PM
OMG this is incredibly beautiful L.J.! Congratulations on your most deserving honor of First Placement! I am faving this beauty! : ) xxoo
Carber Avatar
August 21, 2019 at 8:20 AM
Thanks Connie--I'm glad you liked it--much appreciated!
Chiri Avatar
August 20, 2019 at 11:23 AM
Sad yet beautiful! Congrats on your win!;)
Carber Avatar
August 21, 2019 at 8:21 AM
Thank you Brenda
Scars Avatar
August 20, 2019 at 10:22 AM
such depth, loved every word- that last stanza- wow...Thank you for your participation and congrats on your placement. I was honored to read your poem :)-luloo
Carber Avatar
August 20, 2019 at 10:49 AM
Thank you, Lu Loo- I'm especially honored as this is a love poem for my wife of 40 years.
Gentry Avatar
July 4, 2018 at 11:30 PM
Congratulations on your win with this sad, poem of goodbye when goodbye will not ever be. Well done!
Carber Avatar
July 5, 2018 at 9:01 AM
Thank you, Susan, much appreciated!
Gauthier Avatar
July 4, 2018 at 10:07 PM
Lovely. Congrats on your win, L.J.
Carber Avatar
July 5, 2018 at 9:01 AM
Thanks Line!
Roper Avatar
September 19, 2017 at 6:20 PM
Congratulations on your win, Eve ~`*
Carber Avatar
September 20, 2017 at 8:45 AM
Thank you, Eve, I appreciate it.
Webster Avatar
September 19, 2017 at 12:02 PM
congrats LJC
Carber Avatar
September 19, 2017 at 12:39 PM
Thanks, Jack-- much appreciated!
La France Avatar
September 19, 2017 at 11:08 AM
LJ .CONGRATULATIONS on your placement with this wonderful poem!
Carber Avatar
September 19, 2017 at 12:40 PM
Thank you, Broken Wings--it is much appreciated.
Hamilton Avatar
February 25, 2017 at 4:05 PM
Very nice Len, thanks for entering this gem, congrats on a fine placement!
Carber Avatar
February 25, 2017 at 9:32 PM
Thank you, John, I am honored.
Barden Avatar
February 25, 2017 at 12:23 AM
Thoughtfully and creatively penned ... congrats, my friend! :)
Carber Avatar
February 25, 2017 at 9:32 PM
Thanks, Greg, I appreciate the kind words.
A  Avatar
July 25, 2016 at 4:57 PM
Len C, Congratulations on your win. **SKAT**
Carber Avatar
July 26, 2016 at 9:25 AM
Thank you, Skat-- I appreciate it.
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