Notes About The Poem

Gearldine

She was a giver – giving
More than material possessions,
Although she gave many
Things – her gifts, the ones 
That made my heart remember
Were her flames of tenderness,
The sweetness of the spirit
She gave so many magic memories…

She was a maker – a creator
Crafting ideas and pleasant dreams,
Inspirations that remind me…
Her heart was on display in every
Wish breathed, every kindness
That reminds me of her sincerity,
Her spirit, her light…

She was a casualty – a victim
Fatality, dying from the dependence
Alcohol, a habit that wouldn’t 
Listen to her gentleness, her sensitivity
The reasons that she had this need,
The one that would silently feed off her
Humanity, leaving her frail, sick
Beyond words, beyond the doctor’s
Urging her to quit the drinking
Before her life was taken

In the end, she listened
Too late, she decided that quitting
Would be to her advantage
Too late, she would realize that her habit
Had burned away her heart’s 
Enthusiasm, leaving her alone, 
Without the love that did more
To silence her pain – than the bottle
Ever could – too late, her fate…

Passing beyond this world, to another
Where I hope that she has found…
The pleasure, that in this life, let her down
She died because, in her heart
She didn’t see the way beyond the bottle
Where her pain was drowned
Where her hope was extinguished
And her light was dimmed to a darkness
That wouldn’t let her see – this love
Is the answer to every heart’s desire

I don’t know what she can see from
Heaven’s gates, but…
I wish so much that Gearldine could see
This love that she shared is a love
That will continue to deepen life’s meaning for me
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

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Radice Avatar
January 25, 2023 at 2:54 AM
A very poignant - yet positive - free verse Regina. You've captured the person for who she really was from behind the illness. Gary
Volumes Avatar
January 20, 2023 at 2:52 PM
Addiction is such a cruel sickness. To be told that the cure is in one's own hand, is so unfair. As with any illness it takes help in every way, and even then no guarantee the addiction will not win. A lovely but sad memory of your Aunt, Regina, beautifully penned.
Bell Avatar
January 20, 2023 at 9:42 AM
The drink has killed many a gentle soul and will no doubt kill many more. Sad one.
M  Avatar
January 20, 2023 at 3:42 AM
Wow Regina what an amazing , powerful and sad poem! Is this fiction? Lovely….Debx
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