Paul Callus Poet Free verse

Crossing Over

He awoke
to the sound of pouring rain,
the wind whistling 
around the windmill tower,
the aroma of homemade toasted bread
and coffee brewing on the paraffin stove…

In a daze, eyelids heavy,
he heard distant voices.
“He breathes like a sparrow.
The time is near.”
A tear fell on his frail hand.
In the shadows
the ferryman patiently waited…

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A BRIAN STRAND 1097 Poetry Contest

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Eileen Manassian May 31, 2024 at 8:18 PM A subject that is never to far from my mind. You wrote this so well. It gives a sense of peace. Paul Callus June 2, 2024 at 2:43 AM Maybe I am not one who thinks a lot about death, but there are rare moments when something triggers it off. Thank you for reading and for feeling a "sense of peace". Love & Hugs // paul

Valsa George December 31, 2021 at 2:38 AM In the ripe time a ferry man will come to take us on a long pilgrimage. Eternity is our destination. A very poignant write Paul ! Wish you a blessed New Year! Paul Callus June 2, 2024 at 2:27 AM Thank you Valsa for your visit and comments. Please excuse the very belated reply; for some reason no notification was forthcoming! ~ Best regards // paul

Paula Goldsmith December 23, 2021 at 7:02 AM A "Wonderful" yet sad write. Death comes to all. Heaven is better than this place. I hope you are OK. Have a Blessed Christmas and 2022....................... Paul Callus December 29, 2021 at 2:22 PM Thank you for your feedback, Paula. Death is unavoidable! I hope you had a merry/blessed Christmas. I wish you a happy, peaceful and healthy New Year, my friend // paul

Lindsay Laurie November 20, 2021 at 9:37 PM Hello Paul ... the wait seems to go on forever for the inevitable. A sad poem that reflects on many families - thank you Paul - Lindsay Paul Callus November 23, 2021 at 11:26 AM Thank you for your contribution to this topic, Lindsay. I hope you are keeping well and safe. Best regards // paul

Judy Ball November 15, 2021 at 8:01 AM WoW! This is really well done. What imagery! I could see the frail man waking in his bed surrounded by his loved ones. He realizes slowly that it is his tie and the Angel of Death takes his hand. Beautiful. Loved it. God Bless, JB Paul Callus November 16, 2021 at 11:22 AM I am pleased that you enjoyed this poem of mine, Judy...thank you. Regards & Blessings // paul

Jack Horne November 14, 2021 at 7:03 AM oh, really love this, Paul - i wasn't expecting that! I hope you're well Paul Callus November 14, 2021 at 9:30 AM So pleased to have you visiting, my friend...thank you. Hope you're keeping well. Regards // paul

Jennifer Proxenos November 12, 2021 at 7:33 AM An awesome, sad write my friend, the grim reaper awaited his arrival, the inevitable awaits us all Paul, sooner or later. The grim reaper's job, whose origin comes from the Greek word Thanatos - Death and Hypnos - Sleep, is to deliver the soul to the ferryman, the crossing over. Great poem Paul. hope you are well, would love to hear from you sometime. Hugs blessings, Jennifer. Paul Callus November 13, 2021 at 12:22 PM Thank you for the lovely, insightful and informative comments, Jenny. Incidentally over here in Malta they sell Hypnos mattresses...makes a lot of sense considering the word itself means 'sleep' :) ~ Warm regards & Hugs my friend // paul

Susan Lawrence November 9, 2021 at 9:38 AM Paul, Such a poignant scene so well penned. I have a visceral response of this moment in time you have portrayed so well . Hugs to you and hoping you are well , Susan :) Paul Callus November 13, 2021 at 12:24 PM Thank you for your lovely Susan. A pleasure to have you stopping by. Regards & Hugs // paul

Lisa Ricci November 9, 2021 at 7:54 AM Good Morning Paul - Your words are clear and vivid of this moment and time that we will all face one day. The entry's tone and voice match the scene and moment. Thank you for sharing. Enjoy the day and poetrysoup too. Paul Callus November 13, 2021 at 12:26 PM Good evening, Lisa. Your feedback is delightful and much appreciated. Hope you're having a lovely weekend. Warm regards // paul

Delice Arleen Skelly November 9, 2021 at 5:19 AM Yes indeed Paul, the Ferryman is waiting for us. I like this piece, fascinating Greek mythology. Well done....Delice Paul Callus November 13, 2021 at 12:27 PM So pleased that you enjoyed it, Delice. Thank you. Best regards // paul

Darlene De Beaulieu November 8, 2021 at 4:11 PM Hello PaulCallus, this poem is very sad. Regards Darlene Paul Callus November 13, 2021 at 12:29 PM Indeed it is, Darlene, and although it leads to the beginning of a new life, parting with our loved ones is still sad. ~ Best regards // paul

Heidi Sands November 8, 2021 at 2:14 PM Very well written Paul. I can feel it. I hope you have a nice evening :) Paul Callus November 13, 2021 at 12:30 PM Thank you for reading, liking and commenting, Heidi. I hope you too have a lovely evening :) Regards // paul

Judy Ball November 8, 2021 at 10:10 AM Beautiful Paul. A very insightful look into the last moments of a life. Here is hoping that it was a life not wasted. Good stuff. God Bless, JB Paul Callus November 13, 2021 at 12:33 PM Thank you, Judy. I too hope that we don't waste this short life of ours! After all it's a stepping stone to a better life. Regards & Blessings // paul

Vijay Pandit November 8, 2021 at 8:36 AM So much emotion evoked in so few words, Paul. I like the way convey the poignant message--it tugs and feels as real as death approaching. Paul Callus November 13, 2021 at 1:08 PM Thank you, Vijay. I've seen a few people die, and each memory is still clear in my mind. ~ Regards // paul

Tom Cunningham November 8, 2021 at 8:34 AM Quite a sombre scene Paul, Charon Awaits us all. Hope you're keeping well. Tom Paul Callus November 13, 2021 at 12:57 PM Thank you, Tom. Not a scene to dwell on too much, but it's an inevitable one. Best regards, my friend. // paul

Laura Leiser November 8, 2021 at 8:30 AM Your words paint a powerful, yet poignant picture, Paul. The ferryman awaits and ushers is away at the appointed time. May it be to heaven! Paul Callus November 13, 2021 at 12:35 PM It is a pleasure to have you visiting, Laura. Thank you for the feedback...our paths have not crossed much lately. Hope you're keeping well. ~ Regards // paul

Phyllis Babcock November 8, 2021 at 8:30 AM A sad poem which got me teary this morning while reading it and drinking my coffee. Have a nice week Paul. love phyl Paul Callus November 13, 2021 at 12:55 PM Thank you for reading and commenting Phyllis. Such topics tend to be emotional, and I don't blame you for getting teary eyed, especially when we remember the loss of loved ones. ~ Have a lovely weekend, my friend. // paul

Kim Rodrigues November 8, 2021 at 8:24 AM A wonderful way to cross over to the other side. For my mom, that tear never fell, but bubbled in the corner of her comatose eye but then I knew she knew we were there and she was leaving us…I felt reassured, for who could feel more emotion in the end if your body is dead, except that you are living in “new life.” Two deaths in the last six months. My sweet nephew died a week ago. Paul Callus November 13, 2021 at 12:44 PM Thank you for sharing your own personal experiences, Kim. I was by my father's bedside when he passed away...peacefully; my mum died in her sleep. Gone, but never forgotten. ~ Warm regards / paul