Notes About The Poem

''Death of a Friend''


death is near-
a fading out    tomorrow will never be-
gone away        an empty shell will dwell

birds    and butterflies    come fluttering
on gossamer silky wings

wings soft as       a spider web
and the curtains stir               in the open window
death
 comes 
       like a bird of prey

drifting    silently
and hummingbirds hover   in heavenly     harmony
her
  hair
    streaming down her shoulders
the clock of time stops      the end has come
deep blue is the sky beyond this realm

birds   and butterflies    come fluttering
on gossamer silky wings
and hummingbirds hover   in heavenly     harmony

blue birds are twittering      in the trees
she breathes
   a long breath
        pauses
           and then
the moment of death    a heaviness descends

death comes
               like a bird of prey
drifting   silently
she hangs
  her head like a dead flower    the mind dies
a peacefulness    a light that fills the room    her spirit leaving

and on the bedside
    a beautiful bouquet of red roses     dulcet  full of scent 
oh her life was fleeting
     infused with happiness    beauty   laughter

the dream has ended   the final curtain has dropped
farewell my beauty  I kiss her lips    her still warm hand
     outside a gentle rain has begun
                 falling on    the weeping willow tree

my weeping tears
      dropping    soaking     her blanket

___________________________
June 26, 2015

Free Verse/"death of a friend"
Copyright Protected, ID 684720

Submitted to the contest, Any Poem You Are Proud Of
Sponsor, Mystic Rose

Second Place

I am proud of this poem because I wrote right after the death of my friend, 
she died of cancer and I was with her at the end witnessing it through the eyes
of a poet.  It is my most viewed poem and I was able to capture the style 
of E.E. Cummings perfectly in my opinion.

__________________________
Submitted to the contest, A poem You Are Proud Of #3
sponsor, Skat

Fifth Place

_____________________________
Submitted to the contest, Death and Dying
sponsor, Debbie Guzzi

Second Place
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

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Peck Avatar
December 11, 2021 at 1:25 PM
Oh Constance ~ I just found this poem. It is so beautiful and haunting. I'm glad you were with your friend when she died. It's a beautiful gift to hold one's hand when they leave, as I did with my husband. I think it gives them strength for their journey. Take care, Ann
La France Avatar
December 11, 2021 at 2:01 PM
Ann, so happy you found this poem because I get to read it again too, and I still love it. Thank you so much for the compliment, when we love someone we do not want to be anywhere else ~ love and serenity _Constance
Johnson-Saunders Avatar
May 16, 2020 at 4:13 PM
Hi Constance, reading your POTD today, I was reminded of this tender poem, one of my faves. Reading it gives me a sense of peace...xx Rhonda
La France Avatar
May 17, 2020 at 9:48 AM
Rhonda, thanks for visiting this old poem of mine, at the time I was experimenting with the style of EE Cummings and the theme was real, I watched my friend die and the poet in me captured it _Constance
Hunter  Avatar
November 17, 2018 at 1:18 AM
"Death comes like a bird of prey, drifting silently..." Indeed. I enjoy your work.
Raynes Avatar
February 20, 2018 at 5:23 PM
this is such a beautiful read Constance, the clock of time stops... i too stood beside my father as he died of cancer and it was as simple and profound as your words say, beautiful
Kroll Avatar
October 31, 2016 at 11:54 AM
I love the license you have taken with line length, word placement etc. so creative yet so natural. One of the best I've read on death and dying. So happy to have met u through your poetry Blessings, Kathy
Davey Avatar
May 23, 2016 at 4:47 AM
I really loved this one and the presentation of the piece is amazing also! Congrats on your placement
A  Avatar
May 23, 2016 at 12:33 AM
Broken, Congratulations and thank you for sharing a poem you are proud of. Stop by my latest blog "Innocent of All" and enjoy the warm smile. :) **SKAT**
A  Avatar
June 30, 2015 at 11:53 PM
Broken, :) Congratulations on your win. SKAT LOVE
Guillermo - Fraser Avatar
June 30, 2015 at 9:42 AM
Broken WIngs, I can relate to tis as I've lost a good friend! sad and really love the format!BIG CONGRATULATIONS!~Olive Eloisa..
Mandani Avatar
June 30, 2015 at 9:38 AM
Pretty good. Any one can relate to this. My Congrats.
Richards Avatar
June 30, 2015 at 9:26 AM
I love this unique style of writing, which captivates and brings more sensitivity to the depth and sad subject. Beautifully written, Constance! Honored to share this spot with you !
Wigley Avatar
June 30, 2015 at 4:15 AM
The structure is lovely, BW, almost as if the narrator is gasping and catching her breath through tears to tell it, moments after it happened. You really do this very well, and a winner from me. Viv x
Ryerson Avatar
June 30, 2015 at 3:13 AM
Just wonderful Constance...The repetition throughout makes it all the more compelling...I agree with Rhonda's comment, yet it we who are left behind that grieve as your last verse states so eloquently...
Flaherty Avatar
June 28, 2015 at 6:26 PM
Hello Broken Wings Wow you are not the average poet you are a special talent who can certainly write or has studied writing. Loved this poem and hope you will read some of my work and please critique. Cheers Love Chris
Johnson-Saunders Avatar
June 28, 2015 at 2:01 PM
tears not years (darn autocorrect!)
Johnson-Saunders Avatar
June 28, 2015 at 1:59 PM
Wow, this is amazing, Constance! I thought it was going to be a sad, morbid poem about death, but this is far from it! It's beautiful and peaceful, love through years! A Fav! Hugs, Rhonda
Merryman Avatar
June 26, 2015 at 9:33 PM
Constance, this is amazing! The format is eye-catching and the imagery beautiful! I love this! Best wishes in the contest! Love, Kim
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