Jaycee Cervenka Poet Free verse

Inheritance

Death lingers
Not in an essence, or scent-
No spectral aura conjured by tears or laughter,
But through wishes left too late and unspoken
Guesses made in blue ink, seal stamped, and filed.
Your legacy pillaged and raped by suited men
'til it's extorted to to pennies.

Your smile and voice are buried in the stacks.
Documents, bills, and letters to be written
Fill the memory baring your name;
Your scent and laughter long gone.
Given choice, I would pick the lowest memory
Over the reality of perpetual argument and stress.
Perhaps it's better to have left only love.

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Tim Ryerson September 25, 2015 at 3:21 AM First of all dear lady, please accept my condolences. Secondly, I sometimes try to pick out a favorite line when I comment but I simply cannot here...Straight to my favs Jaycee Cervenka September 25, 2015 at 4:21 PM Thanks Tim. As the administrator of my mother's estate, I get to deal with all of the suits, and trying to straighten out two generations of mess with land, minerals, and property rights. It has been stressful, and at times, I'd sell it all, so as not to deal with quarreling siblings. Thanks for the honor, both on the poem and as a fave poet! It means a lot. Tim Ryerson September 25, 2015 at 3:23 AM Fav poet too...

Eric Boddie September 16, 2015 at 9:42 PM we hang on for so many reasons....we hang on through so many seasons....we hang on to the stings that they use....still we hang on, because they say Love is for fools....;) Jaycee Cervenka September 18, 2015 at 8:46 AM Love is for fools...and so here we are...demented morons seeking resolution...for without love...we're not living.......Thanks for the comments, Eric!

Arthur Vaso September 14, 2015 at 12:35 AM I am out of breath! As soon as I saw the title I rushed here!!! How much? How much? How much do I get? Money money money! darn! I only get an Abba Cd? ok better than nothing! LOL loved this! Jaycee Cervenka September 16, 2015 at 4:32 PM LOL Arthur..not much but the bones to be pecked over, and a lot of headache, you can have both if you can get my siblings to agree. It will be more than I can...LOL Jan

Eileen Manassian September 9, 2015 at 2:49 AM OH....this is so eloquent, Janet. My dad is turning 80 in March. He's in good health, but he does talk about dying and keeps asking us what we want to remember him by. I just want...HIM. Love...loving memories are the best legacy. You've penned this so well. Just a question...third line....will you give it a second read? Our/or? Hugs Jaycee Cervenka September 9, 2015 at 5:40 PM But yes, I'd rather dump all of the things, and just keep the memories! Jaycee Cervenka September 9, 2015 at 5:39 PM Thanks Eileen, I corrected the typo. That's what I get from typing on my phone using Swype. I've gotta remember to go back and check. That's enough isn't it. I wish she would have divided things or left things divided in her will, but it's all a complicated mess.