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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!

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

Lu Loo

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

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.

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!

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

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.

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!

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

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

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!;(

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