There seems a
departing from
innocence and
meaninglessness
to fill a role and
discover meanings
in what seems
happening~
yet meaningless is
the home never
departed~~
Have you ever stood still—
noticing the sudden absence
of what once followed you everywhere?
We think we know the reason.
We stitch guesses into tidy shapes,
as if they could fill the hollow
left behind.
But truth is slippery—
most times,
we can’t hold it at all.
We are meant to lift each other,
not pile stones in the way
of someone else’s climb.
So—
gentleness can outlast anger.
A patient tone
travels farther than a shout.
Carry a lamp in open palms,
not judgment clenched in fists.
This was never a wage to earn—
only a space to offer,
and a gift that cannot be traded.
Perhaps the shadow withdrew
because the burden bent its back,
or because it needed
quiet hands
to piece together what had shattered.
And maybe—just maybe—
it will return,
changed by distance,
tempered by the places it’s walked.
Some still whisper in dim corners,
but the one who stepped away?
They speak now
where the light is full and warm.
He met me in dream
I found my face wet with tears
Departed father
Departed Prayer
When I wish upon a star, sometimes I wish for you. I look upon the boundless heavens and I know that you sometimes wish the same.
I know the pain, the grief and the sorrow will dim eventually but never leave for the place in my heart that you had vacated cannot be filled.
I know where you are, you are without pain, without trouble, but I still cry tears sometimes when I think of you. You were a bright beacon for those that were around you.
I wonder how you are. If the raindrops that fall on the stormy days are your tears as you miss us and wish you could comfort those you have left behind.
I know you wished and still wish the best for us and know that we still have a life to live. Know that your thoughts and words are remembered every day in the thoughts of those that know you and love you. In what you taught us and how you loved us.
We will try and take our time down here, because we know that a new day will arrive, and the reunion will be a joyful momentous occasion that will have no end. See you soon. Love you. Never goodbye.
Quote:"if the people we love are taken from us, the way to have them live on is to never stop loving them. buildings burn, people die, but real love is
forever"--Crow
You left, but the air still carries your scent,
like whispers from a world half-forgotten.
I imagine your hand reaching for mine,
not in dreams, but in the quiet moments
when the sun sets without a sound.
The chair where you once sat is filled,
not by absence, but by your presence
lingering, like unfinished words.
I hear your laughter in the rustling leaves,
a phantom sound that fades when I try to listen.
Your love for music filled the air with melody,
Not just for you, but neighbors found their place.
Now silence wraps the space you once adorned,
Only your songs echo, in stillness reverberates.
Time doesn't heal, it just stretches,
like a thread pulled too thin,
ready to snap but never breaking.
I picture you in places we've never been,
walking streets, we've never known,
and somehow, I’m there beside you.
Adrift.
On the grand highway.
Searching.
For the face I once knew.
But those eyes remain just out of view.
Labyrinth like.
Ancient disguise.
Jettisoned.
Into the vague corridor to hide.
When you left
you were still a goddess
of love...
You reigned supreme!
You were my hero
passionate heart!
Now that this time
glorious closed,
even without being high
at the idyllic mountain,
You're still a muse...
You can still be adored
for me... your faithful squire...!
You can still, if you want me,
plant next to me
a new and flowery
Garden... I'm trapped
in silence, but still
I think about love,
and in you...!
Be it planktons ye feed on or small fish
Afloat in sea on pair of fins as feet,
Whatso waters may have fancied your wish,
Perhaps it was lake as your safe retreat
From fishermen or anglers indiscreet.
Perchance as Cod, your oil livers did cure,
A gourmet chose you for a choicest treat
And picked ye up from a shop floor secure.
O Beauty, fit to be in a fish tank,
What pity, you’re on a kitchen platform,
What travesty of destiny’s fair norm
That you were looked at just as lifeless lank.
Yet, O departed fish, we find you fine,
A fair dish if consumed with table wine.
______________________________________
Sonnet |05.06.2024| fish
Where are you staying these days? Are you doing fine? Send me letters.
One twilight hue rejoiced with the whimsical hand fan, bought from fair
How is that doing at your hand so late at night, like this? Send me letters.
Which page on the calendar is grieving with me, absorbed
Bright eyes, chanting gazes, yearn there as they adore you. Send me letters.
Which word muses along as hours pass, they play around as the day progresses?
Which memory plays it safe , whispering to be soaked in floodgate of the lovers’ lane?
Send me letters . Send me letters, Send me letters,
Or else, not any more words to forbid, cuddle time with oblivion to chime
The loser was this, me, who is relevant , there to be?
Even though I loved thee to find only mistakes with me. Mistake, mistake.
The gone astray dandelion, and the pollen, sprinkler delight within
My killer noises of the solitude, noon hours, through my five, What else , anyway?
In one life , wastage , how much of that will there be, anymore, anyhow?
One Beatrice , to inflict heartache, how much pain of that will there be, anymore, anyhow?
I was physically born, July 1937
My meaningful life started June 1959, when I took Patricia Ann as my dearest wife.
My meaningful life ended 1:25 a.m., October 10, 2023, with her passing.
Patricia, is at another place, our spiritual place, where we will soon be together again. May the journey be swift as my time here isn’t enough, without her.
Memories can’t satisfy my grief as her touch isn’t there for me.
Together… Forever.
Glory to the Departed
by Maxwell "Max" Sebastian Burchett
I had to be free.
Now I am gone,
But remember me
So freedom goes on.
Not an easy road to take.
Hope there’s another way for you.
Pray it is not your fate
To die for freedom’s cause, too.
Some are called upon
To suffer for all, to be free
So that life goes on,
Finally in peace and liberty, let it be.
No greater love for a friend,
Think of that if you think of me.
For you all, my life had to end.
All people have to be free.
Glory to the bravehearted!
Glory to the departed!
Photography by Robert Pender
To The One I Lost Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Anoucheka Gangabissoon
Placed 3rd
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Like a nymph from Arden,
She entered my life’s garden.
Like lightning to me, she came;
For me, she was an ideal dame.
As feminine as a jasmine flower,
She found in me a protective bower.
I traced sweet nectar in her talk,
And a dancing swan in her walk.
Her floating hair for me was a cascade,
Placing my face in it, like a child I played.
Listening to the sounds her anklets made,
In rapturous mood, my head I swayed.
Arm in arm, in all kinds of weather,
Like love birds, we moved together.
People’s evil eye badly cast on us;
Like wild fire, it led to a deadly fuss.
Against us, our own damn cultures,
Played in disguise the roles of vultures.
They rested not until we parted,
And to heaven our souls departed.
The sun hides behind the rippling wave-like clouds
The wind slinks like a hungry cat
quiet and soft not bending my red zinnias
heart shaped flowers in my front yard
And the day is an icecube in summer.
I sit in my grey adirondack chair
Intrusive doleful thoughts hang around in my head
My face is of a lonely puppy in rain
Lowered lip conners
Drooping eyelids
Like a priest gazing at a widow
I look.
For her memories linger in my head
Like a turquoise forgotten sea between tall mountains
I lay silent with no waves
But amidst the pounding memories, there is one I remember and my lips widen,
At the sea..
When wind was angry and strong making your blue short dress wiggle
You held sea shells in your soft palms
and called my name with equanimity
While smiling , your face was flowers in autumn.
Your absurd departure left a million questions
Was I not what you had hoped for?
Did I not make myself deserve you?,and more
Funny how birds still chirp on my neighbors roof
But I nolonger see the rising of the sun on the same
I thought I was the man who could make time not fly by
You left me an ocean of worries, love.
Troy writes.
In the blink of an eyelash, she had departed
his moorings untethered, left brokenhearted
Then I suppose there's no way to prepare
to hear these four words, 'I never did care'
Fill not the heart with this pain of sorrow,
And remember this in your wakening tomorrow
Remember the joys, the laughter, and the smile
I've gone to rest for just a little while.
Although leaving caused pain and grieving,
But my going has ceased my pains
And it's given me such relief
I'm in a place where I'll be at peace.
So, dry those eyes and remember me,
Not as I am now but as I used to be
Because I'll remember you all the while
I'll check on you from time to time with a smile.
Understand this in your hearts,
I've only gone to rest for just a while
I've got the love of each of you
So, I can live departed in your hearts too.
For: L. Milton Hankins
R.I.P., my fellow Muse.
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