Son, Nonprodigal

Each time might be the last,
The last I see your face, 
Sad and smiling eyes; the last
Your lips mouthing promises, 
Goodbyes, eager to go, 
Certain of return, sure of this place.

It's different when you're old. 
Blossoms treasured that may for you
Never come again, a song of birds,
A patterning of stars,
Each moment bursts on consciousness
And burns its possibly last
But not enduring sign. 
Finally scorching through with
Gathered, accumulated intensity,
The beads fall scattered to the ground.

I sit, unable to respond
To the tasks of the world.
Imperious spattering and singeing
Like cold sleet slants against the face
Burns, melts, evaporates...
My son, my son, soon it will seem
That I have wandered off
Having somehow forgotten you.


May 12, 2022   2022 Poetry Marathon 8"    Mark Toney
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022


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Date: 3/21/2023 1:15:00 AM
Hi, David. I was delighted to find your comment on my poem, the first one I posted on P.S. not quite a year ago. (secretly my favorite). I know how precious it is to you that your children are near enough to keep in touch. I have three and they vary in their frequency of contact but no one disappears. At 91, I can't guarantee that for myself! Elizabeth
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Date: 3/20/2023 8:18:00 PM
Very real imagery. Paints a picture of life and intentions that somehow are not fulfilled for reasons note always clear. our children have not fallen far from the tree so we have opportunity to see our children or talk to them weekly. Also in NZ distance in miles between parents and children not so great as in Australia. You poem was a reflection of the power of words to show emotions of their user/writer. Really great. Regards David in NZ
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Date: 6/8/2022 12:00:00 PM
our children will always be our children, the only thing that changes are the way we talk to them and the way they choose to listen, if they choose to listen at all, and that is formed by the love they have or have not felt when young...my first thought after reading your poem
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Elizabeth Mccann
Date: 6/8/2022 5:46:00 PM
I totally agree, Fredric. Fortunately my son's absence was temporary and sometimes in that break, a new understanding emerges. Thank you so much for your interest.
Date: 6/4/2022 6:22:00 AM
It’s not easy to let grown sons or daughters go, but parents stay in their hearts wherever they go. Welcome to PoetrySoup Elizabeth… Belle
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Elizabeth Mccann
Date: 6/5/2022 2:57:00 AM
Thank you, Belle. I love your poems. I had a Frankie, too! I'll send in his poem one day soon.
Date: 5/29/2022 6:01:00 AM
Do you think they comprehend, at all? xx
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Elizabeth Mccann
Date: 5/29/2022 4:37:00 PM
Sometimes, momentarily.
Date: 5/13/2022 3:29:00 AM
Beautifully sad Jo…..Debx
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