He Is Dead-Alive

He has a miserable life, she said, and he has exposed his meanness to lots of others.
He sits in a large chair, with a pee cup by his side, angry and alone. The relatives do not visit.
He has not read a book since high school, he has learned nothing new, he has contributed nothing to society.
He is truly dead-alive, she said. Alive, but truly and completely one hundred percent dead inside, and to the world.
 
I sat and listened with my mouth agape, wondering that she could speak this way of her brother.
That is not all, she said. He weighs a jillion pounds, his home is smelly and terrible, completely foul,
Our own mother would have given up on him, and she did not ever give up on people.
He sits in gruesome-smelling diapers for days, there is a pile of them in the corner.
 
Which corner? I asked her.
How would I know? She asked.  We have not spoken for fifty years.
Mesmerized, I wondered what he was saying about her.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Faulkner Avatar
September 21, 2018 at 1:28 PM
Too true, I often wonder what the other side of the story is, this is so descriptive!
Krutsinger Avatar
September 21, 2018 at 8:41 PM
I sat in shock as she spouted this out to me.
Mcferran Avatar
September 20, 2018 at 10:27 PM
Wow. That ending said it all... very powerful write!
Krutsinger Avatar
September 21, 2018 at 12:28 AM
This scenario unfolded this very morn.
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace