Shades of Purple

A single candle burns,

flame stutters and

rights itself as

I enter the room.

All is still, just the

faint sound of

electricity humming.

 

And you, at rest,

quiet.  Never seen

you so quiet, so still.

Quite eerie. I

hang back, half

expecting you to sit

up, say “boo”, smile,

laugh, make a face,

scare the s**t out

of me but that doesn’t

happen.  I edge closer

“hello dad”

You look smart in

dark pinstripe,

lilac shirt, diamond

patterned tie in

shades of purple,

my favourite colour.

 

Brass handles on teak,

floor standing flower

arrangements spill white

on dusky pink carpet

and a box of tissues sit

on a low wooden table.

I don’t use the last one,

somehow that would

seem rude.

 

I relax, pull up a

chair, feels good

to sit with you again,

as we have so many

times these last months.

 

With the back of my

fingers, I stroke

your cheek, smooth

your lapel then fix

a white rose in

your buttonhole,

wondering if a

falling tear might

wake you up.

 

Glad you had 

a haircut, now

you are ready to

go and meet mum.

Reviews

[JohnL]

A poem to demonstrate that love is stronger than death. The bond transcends. A generation has left but is still here in the mind - and always will be. How wonderful too that you can bridge that seemingly infinits gap by sharing a joke with the father who is still alive in your heart. Feelings can cause chaos to the concentration yet here you have composed with skill, a poem that contains emotion, love, humour and respect. My sympathy and my admiration,

John

[Alicante lullaby]

you love your dad too much...his death was sad and beautiful.

[Bare trees]

Wow, I didn't expect that. I take it this is a follow-up to the other poem about your dad dying. It's very sad. You describe the simplicity of finality through the description of the room and it's surroundings which give us good imagery. I've experienced similar thoughts and emotions when my Mother died. Very good writing, you've obviously got a talent for writing.

[SPINNING ON that dizzy ..]

This is an amazing capture of the mood, the moment, the empty yet full hollow yet want to burst feeling... wow Surreal and yet so real that you smell the flowers and see the tear as it floats down.... So very sad my friend. I believe they go and wait for us....

Kath

[vandana]

It's well written and i could picture it well. The silence of it was real suspence that had me thinking what comes next and flow was amazing. A beautiful poem on love.

[*** Hey Jude***]

What a heartfelt piece! That words you have chosen to use give the reader a grand visuals. Even more impressive is that you are working towards a peaceful state, knowing that you will join your loved one again in spirit. Blessing, great write ~ Jude :-)

[Murphy]

Amazing...echoing Orlando... a real class act of a poem... perhaps your finest.

[Jibey]

Powerful, simple and moving... Thank you

[Patient Poet (Yos)]

I love it , very much , moving , just the right words to express what you feel right now , after he walked away. I know he is proud of you now, as he always did ... good writting Yossi

[emmajoy]

Beautiful. Sad.