Distance and Separation
There is an emptiness
between Hemingway’s words
A hollow sound
that slides off the page
The space creates distance
as the Old Man wanted
From the reader
and voyeurs of pain
“Distance between himself and the day
he hauled in that great fish
“Distance from that last great battle
calling out from beyond his reach
“Distance from the arena, where the
horns got close but death got closer
“And distance from the many women
he tried to love and failed”
No matter how far he lived afield,
be it Paris, Havana, or Ketchum
In no place was there distance enough
or where his words could be safe
The separation and memory loss
became deafening and finally too much
As he gave in to the distance
—one last and final time.
(Villanova Pennsylvania: June, 2016)
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
Please
Login
to post a comment
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a
Premium Membership.
