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Forever Forty-Nine

"He wasn't supposed to be...forever forty-nine"

it was the last photo taken
after family vacation
candles aglow a top his cake
my brother's rosy cheeks
ready to blow them out
                   ...forever forty-nine

we were all gathered around
singing gleefully
wondering what wishes
he was about to make
was he wanting to be
                   ...forever forty-nine

i glance back at the photo
he was always older than  me
he never made it one day past
                   ...forever forty-nine
we were supposed to age together
yet i am now older than he

"the last photo we have of my brother was on his forty-ninth birthday as he was about to blow the candles out, he never got his wish, unless his wish was death because he passed the morning after his forever 49"

September 16,2019

Writing Challenge 2, September 2019 - The Photograph
 Sponsor, Wiishkobi Ode

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Constance La France Date: 10/3/2019 5:35:00 PM Sandra congratulations on your win in my challenge with this emotional and wonderful poem! Login to Reply Sandra Adams Date: 10/3/2019 6:01:00 PM Thank you so much for hosting the contest and for the win as well as your kind words :) hugs

Beautiful Scars Date: 10/1/2019 8:59:00 AM wow, so amazing. How sad I feel the depth of your pain deeply. I am so sorry for your loss, I had no idea. We share similar pain with losing a sibling. I am here if you need me sweet Sandy, congrats on your win :)-luloo Login to Reply Sandra Adams Date: 10/1/2019 9:15:00 AM Thank you my friend...hugs :)

Chris Green Date: 9/17/2019 7:34:00 AM Sorrow pours from your pen as the saddest of memories fall from your heart and soul my friend. Your talent know no limits. Beautifully crafted. Best wishes in the contest. Login to Reply Sandra Adams Date: 9/17/2019 8:41:00 AM Thank you my friend, so many loved ones have passed I think these poems will always fall easily ... hugs

John Hamilton Date: 9/16/2019 9:53:00 PM So sad, so sad so young seems so unfair sometimes, my sister died from COPD and now I'm her age (59) hope for the best for all you face cancer! Login to Reply Sandra Adams Date: 9/17/2019 4:58:00 AM Sorry to hear about your sister His was diabetes related hence why I will fight it with the strength of my army of angels ... hugs

Gershon Wolf Date: 9/16/2019 7:38:00 PM What a touching tribute to your older brother. The title and refrain work so well, Sandra. You have done your brother proud! Best wishes, Gershon Login to Reply Sandra Adams Date: 9/16/2019 8:05:00 PM Thank you Gershon, perhaps he is looking down smiling on me tonight :) hugs

Hello There Date: 9/16/2019 7:14:00 PM So sorry to hear about the loss you have shared in this sad but powerful piece. Login to Reply Sandra Adams Date: 9/16/2019 8:05:00 PM Thank you so much, this picture is often shared on social media every year on his birthday, and the photo before this one, was him waving from a beach, that one is always posted the day he passed, as if he is waving goodbye one last time, over and over again...i think i have both photos etched forever in my mind!

Vijay Pandit Date: 9/16/2019 2:39:00 PM From the heart..so sad..so emotive! Login to Reply Sandra Adams Date: 9/16/2019 7:00:00 PM Thank you my friend...it was hard passing the age he passed at, even harder approaching the age my mother passed at, i have now outlived them both, my sister has passed his age too and is soon to pass my mother's age... hugs

Hilo Poet Date: 9/16/2019 1:45:00 PM A sincere sad morning greets my eyes, a genuine Aloha always, William Login to Reply Sandra Adams Date: 9/16/2019 6:57:00 PM Thank you William, we just never know when our flame will burn out.... hugs :)

Tom Cunningham Date: 9/16/2019 12:49:00 PM A heartfelt verse Sandra, so tragic what happened to your brother and your photo reminds you of that tragic loss. Tom Login to Reply Sandra Adams Date: 9/16/2019 1:26:00 PM Thank you Tom the second to last photo taken was him waving goodbye from his last ever vacation to the beach. Both are sad to look at. Hugs

Brenda Chiri Date: 9/16/2019 12:48:00 PM Oh so very sad Sandy;( so sorry to hear!;( Login to Reply Sandra Adams Date: 9/16/2019 1:25:00 PM Thank you Brenda he was the only brother we had. I have one sister left ... hugs