Forever Seems Forever Away

There, that is our secret: go to sleep!
You will wake, and remember, and understand
— Robert Browning (Evelyn Hope)

Forever Seems Forever Away

On her little pillow, pink and silk, spreads
her lovely brunette locks, locked
forever, as forever goes. Only God knows.

Forever turned and pointing, with a shock
of red hair, brother’s hand secured in mom’s.
A Rockwell brush masterpiece, if Norm stayed

on earth. Flying away, the mind is a bird
that lands and stays until I must turn away,
because forever seems, forever away.

Coffin’s shut up, too soon and solemn, She’s
carried out, not as in the celebration of birth,
but in youth, not forgotten. I Can Only Imagine

played as the crowd bowed and prayed. Parade
of mourners delivered to her final resting spot. Forever
ago, eighteen years seems so. Much has changed.

But the look in her eyes, before they crossed
over, and as she smiled at “what a pretty dress,”
before her parents had to let her “rest.”

Before and after seems forever-after-unhappily,
yet, happily the family must contend to love
all the more the three siblings without the fourth.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024

Poem

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Hind Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 6:31 PM
Heartbreaking- you truly conveyed it carefully and sensitively, dear Kim....loss is always "seems, forever away."
Manassian Avatar
November 2, 2024 at 3:39 PM
That stanza before the last really tugs at the heart. Also the use of words... dress and rest... brings home what should have been a girl's delight and not a parent's nightmare. Moving piece...
Rodrigues Avatar
November 2, 2024 at 4:52 PM
Truly! Thank you, Eileen!
Cunningham Avatar
November 2, 2024 at 10:35 AM
Heartbreaking Kim, no parent should have to bury their child. Tom
Rodrigues Avatar
November 2, 2024 at 2:46 PM
Truly but all too many do. Thanks, Tom
Lane Avatar
November 2, 2024 at 8:00 AM
This one brought on the goosebumps of sorrow. How heartbreaking is this one, Kim.
Rodrigues Avatar
November 2, 2024 at 9:42 AM
This sweet little girl passed away when she was only five devastating her family. I will always remember her sweetness.
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