This is not any love song,
nor any psalm, for me.
A 20-something’s rush to the office store,
replace the paper to write a score.
A truck turns, and broad-sides his legs,
rescuers drag him, footless and burning,
not to sing, not to beg.
Not a love song, nor a psalm
…..of a poet - not better off dead.
In a still, lone bed of a rural ICU
a patient with a lung-implant
gasps a poem I do not know.
The Rag is passed and the new ear listens.
Is it a better love song or psalm
sought after the author's gone?
From a month spent in coma from a stroke:
springs one man, with one wife,
a universe-city of students, twin boys full of life,
to teach, to talk, to hug, to walk,
to reach:
only one-armed not,
but for a love song, and a psalm for all.
She cuts on her arm, not for physical pain,
but release of heart’s balm on her psychic longing,
of a new moment dawning,
again…not better off dead.
Not that I cannot live without you,
today.
But knowing I can see you again
tomorrow,
is a love song
and a psalm
for a better-off day.
oh man...heavy poem...hope the person is alright...the cutting, ugh way too common these days it seems...there is probably a lot of anger over the accident and the repurcussions...
ReplyDeletei loved the closing verse...
ReplyDeleteFab Di!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteDark yet hopeful...
Nice to see you out and about.
Some folks miss you....G
This is perfect! It communicates well both the narrators voice and the images of the people in her care extremely strongly. It is not a bummer as much as a slice of real life. Like it A LOT Dianne. The title as well is so appropriate to the narrative voice. Now I think you are seeing poetry everywhere you look.
ReplyDelete"She cuts on her arm, not for physical pain,
ReplyDeletebut release of heart’s balm on her psychic longing,
of a new moment dawning,
again…not better off dead." - you paint such vivid pictures of not only a physical character, but their souls, too. And it hurts...
Dianne, an incredibly deep and resonating poem. There is so much to consider here, but mostly the question, "Is it a better love song or psalm
ReplyDeletesought after the author's gone?"
And it seems your answer is that as long as we have today, there is chance, opportunity, hope. I agree.
Gorgeous writing here, Dianne.
xo
erin