Jan Allison Poet Narrative

Rhapsody In Blue

We’d been engaged for so many years, content in each other’s company.
Never had the urge to get married, just thought we’d be together for eternity

Then you got sick, very sick …
eventually terminal cancer was diagnosed. 
You asked the specialist how long you’d got; he said he couldn’t answer;
but as the cancer was so wide spread your quietus was inevitable 
Our despair was fathomless, you clung to me until no more tears could fall.

Several months passed, then you took a turn for the worse
Soon the dreadful day came and you moved to hospice
You looked me in the eye  …
said it was about time I made an honest woman of you.

Our wedding was arranged hastily
Just you and me and two staff to witness our nuptials 
The nurses had decorated your room and arranged your hair and make up

Gershwin’s Rhapsody in blue played in the background as we exchanged our vows
Your tired eyes sparkled as I slipped a gold band on your finger
Finally we were husband and wife.
I kissed you tenderly on your pale lips
then lay beside you on the narrow bed and held your frail body 
Eventually your breathing slowed and finally stopped - 
we’d been married less than 24 hours
Such a tragic end to our love story

Five words please contest
Sponsored by broken Wings

Required words : Rhapsody, fathomless, quietus, eternity, story


3/19/18

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Constance La France April 3, 2018 at 9:14 AM Jan congratulations on your win in my contest with this emotional and beautifully penned poem. You were the storyteller and also part of this incredible love story. Jan Allison April 3, 2018 at 10:25 AM Thanks so much Constance:-) hugs jan xx

Mick Talbot April 1, 2018 at 3:21 AM Back to say congratulations, still a winner in my book... hugs Mick Jan Allison April 1, 2018 at 5:15 AM Thanks Mick, I'm glad to be on the winners list:-) hugs Jan xx

Gershon Wolf March 22, 2018 at 8:37 PM Again, as with your acrostic, "Congratulations," this poem simply takes my breath and my words away. A story of true love--realized! Remarkable write, Jan! :) Gershon Jan Allison March 23, 2018 at 6:25 AM Thanks Gershon I'm delighted for my friends Chris and Charles and the congratulations poem is totally factual, this however poem is thankfully based purely on my imagination:-) hugs jan xx

Cheryl Hoffman March 20, 2018 at 7:51 PM A poignant heartfelt awesome write Jan; Good luck in the contest! Love the rhapsody in blue accompaniment too!~Che :) Jan Allison March 21, 2018 at 4:24 AM Thanks Che, as soon as i saw we had to use the word Rhapsody I had to include this beautiful music :-) hugs Jan xx

Anne-Lise Andresen March 20, 2018 at 8:13 AM - A lovely story that ends so sad, Jan - Luck in the contest - hugs // Anne-Lise :) Jan Allison March 20, 2018 at 8:42 AM Thanks Anne Lise:-) hugs Jan xx

Line Gauthier March 19, 2018 at 9:59 PM Wow - beautiful emotive write, Jan. You knocked this one out of the park! Jan Allison March 20, 2018 at 4:22 AM Thanks line I do surprise people that I can write a serious theme:-) hugs Jan xx

Matthew Anish March 19, 2018 at 5:52 PM A sad tale! Is it true? Moving whether truth or fiction. I am a cancer survivor myself and know what a scourge it is. Peace & Love Matthew Anish Jan Allison March 19, 2018 at 5:59 PM Pure fiction for me Matthew but i read this type of scenario in so many magazines. Glad you are a cancer survivor, so is my hubby - it was his cancer surgery that kick started me writing poetry:-) hugs jan xx

Lin Lane March 19, 2018 at 4:41 PM Oh my tearful heart. Jan, how sorrowful to find love and lose it thus. Nicely portrayed through your narrative. Jan Allison March 19, 2018 at 5:19 PM Thanks Lin, with the word quietus to use I had to go with a sad write in the end:-( hugs jan xx

Tom Cunningham March 19, 2018 at 12:30 PM Beautiful sad verse Jan, But tragically it happens. Good luck. Tom Jan Allison March 19, 2018 at 2:45 PM Sadly it does Tom:-( hugs jan xx

Mick Talbot March 19, 2018 at 11:19 AM How heart wrenching is that? I try to, but I can't contain my emotions to write of personal tragedies. I struggle to write fiction on the topic. Wow, the second time today that I'm having to take a break, sorry Jan, You and Silent are getting billed for a box of tissues. Jan Allison March 19, 2018 at 2:45 PM I read many magazine stories where this is reality, thankfully nothing like this has happened in my life. I find writing sad poems quite easy i struggle with romantic poems though:-) hugs jan xx