The Mourning After

Sunday night Apr. 8, 2001:
The night I slept in relative peace
foolishly, naively believing and
falsely assuming that all was well…

But then the morning after:
Though not the worst morning after
still the numbing, paralyzing morning after
the morning his voice seemed far away
as if it were an eerie, drug induced dream
the morning he regretted to inform...

(For a precious few weeks
one hibernates, wrapped up safely
in that protective cocoon
of sweet denial and disbelief)

No, the worst morning after came
after all had been said and done
after basking in the glow of sympathy 
after the admiration of my iron will
after all returned to daily routines
after I found myself alone again…

Oh no, the worst morning after
was the morning I startled awake
to find that monster standing there
that monster who pointed at me
and told me the bitter, brutal truth
the awful and merciful truth of God
the truth that you are really gone
and are never, ever coming back…

Copyright © | Year Posted 2013



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Date: 7/23/2016 7:41:00 PM
Hi Tim, Congratulations on your win in the contest. A good read, the words taking us on a journey. I always enjoy taking a journey with a poet. Excellent Tim....Mike.
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Date: 7/23/2016 5:21:00 PM
Tim, this one is SO good, and I remember seeing it before here. So glad to see it in the winners' circle. HOpe you are doing well. Congrats, Tim.
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Date: 7/23/2016 1:20:00 PM
Tim, nice win...Hope to see you stop by my blog *Female Spirit* always and forever ~Linda~
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Date: 10/14/2015 10:27:00 PM
Tim, Congratulations on your awesome win. SKAT :)
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Date: 10/13/2015 11:54:00 PM
Wonderful take on the theme Tim with this superb winning write! Big congrats!
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Date: 10/13/2015 2:26:00 PM
So heartbreaking, Tim. Been there myself...your words bring those emotions to life in such a sad but truthful way. Congratulations on your win. Sandra
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Date: 10/13/2015 11:23:00 AM
That's the saddest part. They are never ever coming back! Congrats Tim on your win!
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Date: 7/27/2015 10:10:00 PM
Tim, congrats on your best poem. Love LINDA
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Date: 7/24/2015 4:36:00 PM
Tim, Congratulations on your awesome win. **SKAT**
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Date: 7/24/2015 3:23:00 PM
A very heartfelt poem, Tim: Yes it takes a while to believe the reality...that we are so helpless against. Time softens the blow or so they say. Congratulations on your win. Hugs, SuZ
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Date: 7/24/2015 1:38:00 PM
Dropping back again and againwith my congrats Tim:-) hugs Jan xx
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Date: 7/24/2015 12:24:00 PM
superb Tim great pen congrats on placing hugs
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Date: 4/18/2015 6:04:00 PM
Tim, Congratulations on getting the placement your poem did not get the first time... LINDA
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Date: 4/15/2015 6:30:00 PM
This is intense, tim. How many times did you enter it in contests here. It was bound to finally win because it is truly a great poem!
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Date: 4/15/2015 4:57:00 AM
dropping back with my congrats Tim - a simply heartbreaking write:-) Hugs Jan xx
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Date: 3/2/2015 3:28:00 PM
such a heartbreaking write Tim - congrats on your win:-) Hugs Jan xx
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Date: 3/2/2015 12:04:00 AM
Quite an emotive write Tim! Congrats on big win!
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Date: 3/1/2015 10:53:00 PM
This one made me tear up a bit, very emotional..Well done and congrats. BG
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Date: 3/1/2015 7:55:00 PM
Tim, CONGRATS on your win. ThanXs for supporting my contest ~ SKAT ~
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Date: 6/17/2014 10:57:00 AM
Such an echoing piece that touched me greatly. Congrats on the win! I can see why it's your favorite... A haunting piece...
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Date: 6/15/2014 6:52:00 PM
Yes it does take a while to truly comprehend the forever of it. a great poem. Love, joyce
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Date: 6/15/2014 2:13:00 AM
Thanks for sharing your favorite poem, congrats on the well deserved win, Tim
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Date: 6/15/2014 12:10:00 AM
nice win Tim. Love ~SKAT~
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Date: 6/14/2014 10:54:00 PM
TIM. Congratulations with your own "Favorite Poem, entered in Carol's XOOL contest... Yeah, we all Win... What a sweet Deal... XOX~ LINDA
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Date: 4/14/2014 7:36:00 PM
Tim, these words carry such a weight of grief that I understand so well. I still have days when I feel this...just want someone to say his name without prompting. You expressed the intensity so well.
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Ryerson Avatar
Tim Ryerson
Date: 4/14/2014 8:25:00 PM
No words can express my appreciation for your comment my dear friend and of course, I know you indentify...
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