Linda Alice Fowler Poet Other

Notes About The Poem

*Other – Sextilla: (1) Six-line stanzas of eight-syllable lines rhymed either aabccb or ababcc…poetscollective.org
 (2) A Sp. stanza form of six octosyllabic or shorter lines. In the classic period, the usual rhyme schemes were abbaab...oxfordreference.com

 

Dead

I found him lying on his bed,
hair tousled and with a sweet smile.
I realized that he was dead.
I knew this was no show of guile.
A lifeless shell fueled with faith
betrayed a muted mask of wraith.

Though none, I called Emergency.
They asked me blankly, “Are you sure?”
No breath, stiff limbs, lividity –
a terminal illness, no cure.
“I’m sure (as Hell!), yes positive!”,
assuming that, the causative. 

All three came as well as ER,
coroner, sheriff, mortician.
One to play the body’s chauffer.
One to judge the man’s condition.
One to say there was no more breath.
One to announce the “formal” death.

A cold harshness to the moment,
finality so sure and straight.
No use to sit down and lament.
Too late to try to clear the slate.
It is what it is, as they say.
Nothing further to do but pray.

An homage of his joy and bliss; 
his ardour for life and nature.
His pure love for God not remiss;
his place within Heaven secure.
A faith-based life and in the end
all he wanted was one true friend.

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Andrea Dietrich February 1, 2023 at 12:29 PM wow, it's so sad that he did not have one true friend. You did a good job creating the atmosphere of the coldness of everyone toward his corpse.. Well written! Linda Alice Fowler February 1, 2023 at 12:56 PM Thank you Andrea. I appreciate your thoughts. Linda :)

Victor Buhagiar February 1, 2023 at 2:16 AM Glad that in his demise he found a friend. A touching poem that reminds us of our end. Linda Alice Fowler February 1, 2023 at 7:28 AM Cheer up Victor. There is good in everything! hugs :)

David Kavanagh January 31, 2023 at 1:05 PM This David was probably going to say something similar to the David below Linda, but you’re right when you come across a dead person you instinctively know it, without all the bureaucracy that ensues, Dark humour but compelling reading nonetheless, Where did this one come from? a fine poem, cheers David Linda Alice Fowler February 1, 2023 at 7:28 AM Hi David. Thanks for the read and thoughtful comments. As for where, it's fact and fiction - I worked many years in law enforcement in a past life. I've seen things that hover at the edge of my memory.

David Bose January 31, 2023 at 11:22 AM Wow, Linda, my heart melted with the first line and I felt stunned with each stanza. A situation no one wants, and you described it vividly with a tinge of humor ... that you pull this off using such a challenging form attests to wonderful talent. So well done, I feel I lived it. Dave Linda Alice Fowler January 31, 2023 at 11:47 AM Wow Dave. Such high praise, I blush! I'm glad it struck you. My thanks to you for reading and taking time to comment. Linda :)