In His Empty Room

Poet's Notes

(Show)

Become a Premium Member and post notes and photos about your poem like Andrea Dietrich.

For the Echo, Enduring, Empty Poetry Contest of Constance La France

Empty Rooms - The Design Cure

“In my empty heart – only memories” by poet Today our mother had his bed removed and took posters down – even things he’d drawn depicting stuff of which she’d disapproved. Those posters that revealed his heart – all gone! She took his dresser out, and all his clothes she folded up to donate to Good Will. His nice suits in the closet – even those - as well as knick-knacks on the window sill! I understand the pain she’s going through. What good is there in taking all away? The rest of our family's grieving too. I press to my face a saved shirt of grey. It was his favorite. In his empty room, my tears release. I’m standing in a tomb.

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

Krishnanand Guptar

Date: 6/13/2025 11:33:00 AM

A very emotional sonnet poet friend. Wish you all the best in the contest. By the way isn`t one line missing. Cheerful weekend ahead.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 6/13/2025 11:38:00 PM

Thanks. It got left off somehow in my copy/ pasting.

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 6/13/2025 9:58:00 AM

- A very touching poem, Andrea - ... memories completely removed :( - GL in the contest :) - hugs

Duke Beaufort

Date: 6/13/2025 3:31:00 AM

Andrea, you did a lovely job describing the feeling of loss and also not having control over it. Since each person's response will be different, one hopes that perhaps a family would discuss the steps and consequences that would occur when removing memories and traces of a loved one. There's isolation described here. I've heard experts talk about grief, and they seem to say that what we can do to talk about the deceased accomplishments and personality helps keep them alive in our hearts.

Valsa George

Date: 6/12/2025 8:34:00 PM

Very touching and intimate. After a dear one's death, it is a usual practice to clear his/ her room of all the belongings, may be because those things will remind one of his/her absence more and more.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 6/12/2025 9:13:00 PM

Some people prefer to keep things. I think keeping a few things is best