Brian Sambourne Poet Free verse

Love, Always

speech derailed
tipped off balance
a world in fragments
when loss follows its own narrative 

secured to his hospital chair
the man
stroke weary
slumps, ungainly as reeds
she caresses his hands
dependent touching
poised intimacy

her words:
 "I will love you always.
   please say after me,
  I will love you always."
her spoken meditation on love's loyalty
words that beg remembrance 

he nods
wide eyed faith
caught in sunless seclusion
does he know love by looking at now?

in the white room
there are puzzles that fog the brain
that can't unravel clues
"Try
  try
  just once more"
splintered words
healable vows
"I will love you, all ways."



Poem composed April 9, 2023

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Christuraj Alex April 13, 2023 at 8:13 PM Great intensity of feeling in words that are said and unsaid. Beautifully written. Congratulations! Brian Sambourne April 13, 2023 at 8:44 PM My gratitude, Christuraj, for your stop by + thoughtful comment. Very kind of you. Be well. Brian

Marikate Kingston April 11, 2023 at 2:10 PM What a dear poem. I have lost several relatives since I am in my 50s now, and I wonder if in their intimate closeness they have whispered this promise to each other somehow. I hope that I can say these things in this way, if and when the time comes. Even through his fog, I am certain he hears her. They hear us, I believe they do. I speak from experience. Brian Sambourne April 11, 2023 at 3:28 PM Hello Marikate, Thank you for your comments + insight. My mother is in a nursing home + I viewed this tender scene in the common area. I believe the stroke inflicted chap is making progress with his speech. Take care of yourself. Best wishes, Brian