Notes About The Poem

This is for/about my niece, Suzanne; her cancer is no longer treatable.     

Addendum:  This poem was written/posted in October of 2013....my niece, Suzanne, the subject of the poem, passed away quietly during the night of May 10, 2015.  We are in Louisiana now (May 13, 2015) to attend her funeral.

Listen to poem:

For Suzanne, Green and Golden

“The October night comes down; returning as before
Except for a slight sensation of being ill at ease
I mount the stairs and turn the handle of the door
And feel as if I had mounted on my hands and knees.”
----- “Portrait of a Lady;” T. S. Eliot

A golden afternoon,
Late October, and my thoughts
Are all of you, Suzanne…
Vestiges of your being
Appear on visages of 
A hundred different people;
But none are you, not one 
As green,  as golden.

Hard it is to know no miracle
Will mend, no giddy hope assuage,
The scourge that slowly puts an end
To our valiant green and golden girl.
Memory takes us to days of indolence,
Of innocence, of children lying on a levee
Deep in lush, green, summer clover --
In sunlight almost as golden
As your hair -- beside a flowing river
Bearing away your golden hours
And the painless green of youth.
 
Now, in your green room, reclined
In shadow, our golden girl reposes.
Your courage lights the coming night
That does not dim the gold and green
You always shared, and still you share.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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Mundine Avatar
April 18, 2016 at 2:50 PM
Just received info about your posting and I must admit I'm quite impressed. You have a prolific way of expressing your inner thoughts which is refreshing. Not too long or too short, your pieces are what I call set apart or unique.
White Avatar
April 13, 2016 at 6:29 AM
Sleep is better than suffering. I just lost my husband to cancer. Sorry for your loss
Galson Avatar
April 12, 2016 at 11:33 PM
Love this poem, sorry for your loss. I too lost a Suzanne, my mother , who recently passed. Your poem reminds me of her. Thank-you for your tribute to beautiful women!
Goudreau Avatar
April 12, 2016 at 8:07 PM
'
Goudreau Avatar
April 12, 2016 at 7:59 PM
Sorry
Dietrich Avatar
December 31, 2014 at 1:48 AM
I am reading some reviews below and I agree with them. this is brilliant. One of your best, Leo. I have to fave it!
Mister Roboto Avatar
September 1, 2014 at 2:22 PM
Difficult to read, My god, I would not know what to feel. Amazing write a beautiful green and golden child who needs not suffer to this answer-less cancer! &7rated
Devnath  Avatar
October 27, 2013 at 5:12 PM
Beautiful poem adorned with beautiful words. Lovely done, my friend. Loved always, bl
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