Tragedy

The TV screen displays the news of a “Breaking Story”;
An airplane crash creates a scene both ominous and gory.
The volume is down; 
    There is no sound,
        As he sits there staring off in space.
A phone in his hand
    Waiting his command
        As tears traverse down his face.

“No Survivors” is seen upon the screen of the silent set.
He presses “play” to hear again the voicemail he’ll never forget.
Her voice is gay
    As he hears her say:
        “Honey we’ve made the flight”.
“We miss you much;
    I miss your touch;
        Can’t wait to see you tonight.”

His phone vibrates for the hundredth time; he doesn’t answer the call.
His heart breaks every time he sees the family portrait on the wall.
They had gone to see
    Her family
        Who live on the opposite shore.
He was putting on his shoes
    When he got the news
        That his family he’d see no more.

The room grows dark; his body is numb; he cannot stop the tears.
Guilt sets in; “Why wasn’t I with them?” he’ll ask the rest of his years.
Life goes on
    For everyone
        But those who were on that flight.
Sitting at home,
    All alone,
        His soul he lost on that night.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Dietrich Avatar
August 10, 2010 at 7:57 PM
You really describe how this situation must affect someone left behind. VEry heartfelt writing. LUv, Andrea
La France Avatar
August 10, 2010 at 6:13 PM
This poem is sad but beautifully written and I am happy also, it is not your family that you write of~~just wonderful~~
Johnson Avatar
August 10, 2010 at 5:32 PM
I am glad that I saw your blog before I read this. You must see so much tragedy. Very heart rending poem. Love, Joyce
Kendrick Avatar
August 10, 2010 at 4:00 PM
Very emotive and expressive write that you have penned in this one..I hope just a write on a topic and not your life..Sara
Rhinem Avatar
August 10, 2010 at 2:23 PM
"Wow," what an amazingly sorrowful moment to carry with oneself for perhaps the rest of their lifes!! Sadly I know how this sorrow goes; more than I wish....I have not read such a poem as this here at Soup in quite awhile ~ "Compelling; Stirring; Misting &, Heart-Wrenching" ~ Hope it is not close to home my dear friend!!! ~ "Much Love & Warmth Always, to You & Your Loves Dear Friend," John! ~ "Have A Very Beautiful Day Joe;" Bye!:) ~
Sweetheart Avatar
August 10, 2010 at 12:08 PM
Excellent write Joe and if for Dr. Ram's contest good luck... a brilliant piece as there was a crash on the news in Alaska this very morning with minimal survivors.. good luck my friend..with luv..
Roberts Avatar
August 10, 2010 at 11:19 AM
what a sad but beautifully written poem
Brown Avatar
August 10, 2010 at 10:02 AM
Oh Joe this is truly a tragedy. I hope this has not happened to you. Love, Carol
Devonshire Avatar
August 10, 2010 at 10:01 AM
So sad, Joe. You brought grace and beauty in your words describing this loss. If you wish, you could make this an elegy for Dr. Ram's contest. It is hard for most of us to write about death, but your poem grabs the reader's heart. Love, Carolyn
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