Bernard Chan Poet Free verse

When I Am Dust

When I am no longer here, 
will sunrays fall and, 
unobstructed by me, 
still leave a spot 
on the ground unlit?  

Or shed leaves draw up short,
detour, 
though I’m not in their way? 

Will foamy water spill 
around my lost 
footprints in sand?   

Or raindrops bounce off  
my hunched-over silhouette? 

Will fragrant breezes glide  
around a hollow shaped like a man 
with his face upturned? 

Or the sound waves of 
music that once made me 
glad to be alive
flow around the space where 
the open arms of my ears   
used to be? 

Will my pillow recall the 
contours of my head,
refusing to be fluffed?

No, I don’t expect they will.  

It would be enough if,
when I am dust,  
you put your remembering arms
around my absence.

One more time.

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart April 5, 2019 at 1:46 PM Beautiful, goosebump evoking poem Bernard. Magnificent piece. xomo Bernard Chan April 6, 2019 at 5:19 AM Thank you, Maureen :)

David Mchattie April 3, 2019 at 11:03 PM Excellent. Great poem. I really enjoyed it. We all want to be remembered. Bernard Chan April 4, 2019 at 1:55 AM Thanks a lot, David.

Caren Krutsinger April 3, 2019 at 10:16 PM Your last stanza makes he poem upbeat and happy; in the aftermath of the possibility of great sadness and regret. Well done Bernard! Bernard Chan April 4, 2019 at 2:05 AM Thank you, Caren! :))