"Living The Tontine..."

A new year...

“Living The Tontine…”

 

Memories so often test our realities -

with noon "midnights",

and midnight "sunrises".

 

The yearly "missing friends" toasts

don't get longer but the memories...

the memories take more consciousness

and the "stare" -

the thousand-yard stare

draws me to the abyss

and silently holds me captive

as all the hands beckon, reach, and wave -

until it’s my turn to join them.

 

Chris

Author's Note

Feel free

Reviews

[mou]

Isolation and memories are the best and worst pals. At first, I started to read your poem in a new year night, but slowly it drifts into a more serious and poignant alley.
"...with noon "midnights",
and midnight "sunrises"..."
Only you can do this!
-mou

[Chris]

We really aren't alone - until we are.

[poetgurl]

This is quite an emotional read, expressed your feelings well

[Chris]

Thank you.

[Betty Hermelee]

I think when your friends start dying... and you stop getting phone calls and emails.... you realize that you are pretty much headed in that direction...I feel that way now,,, that the stare becomes longer and the abyss could take me anytime....very important concept for me....
Warmly, B

[Chris]

So few remember - that it CAN be anytime at all...

[Betty Hermelee]

Yes….you're welcome Chris
Warmly, B

[Coyote Poetry]

Me too my friend. Yes Chris. I have become the oldest in the family. Old friends, my mentors voices and laughter are missed. Powerful and worthwhile thoughts shared.
Coyote

[Chris]

The hardest part is 7 places empty at the 8 place dining room table.

[Coyote Poetry]

I remember my grandparent house. The big dinners. Family re-unions.

[Thomas W Case]

Wow. Tremendous work. You paint this picture well and evoke the melancholy. Superb.

[Chris]

Semper Fi...

[FPW]

As you say, life as we live it….with friends falling by the wayside until there is only one left standing holding all the memories. It’s a sad reality of life. Poignant thoughts.

[Neville]

Aye .. the winters get longer, until there are none .. But hey, who's Tontine eh' .. Made me count my blessings so ya did Chris and so verily enjoyed too sir .. Neville

[Einstein Noodle]

oh my goodness ... a dash of reality .. how did you ever come across the tontine?? sounds like a sure way to inspire conspiracies and murders ... until only one left standing ... who would buy into such a thing?? sheesh! anyway .. great use of the metaphor says i! as our memories die off ... we are left with one abys or another ... praying i fade into the forest before such a time .. but hey .. i guess i won't really care one way or the other .. kind of a gruesome reality in your "Living the Tontine" .. kind of brilliant sir!
E.

[Chris]

Good seeing you E. Life as we live it ...continues.

[Einstein Noodle]

yep :) ..............

[emmajoygreen]

Chris, your writing is inevitably thoughtful.. an offering to come share and see what's what. Here you do the same but different. no make-believe but truth to the end Yet not stressing logic or sanctimonious 'well, what else did you think it meant!' Your way of placing words is created in an empathic way via visuals and subtle words. Your wisdom and gentleness is always present. ' Memories so often test our realities - with noon "midnights", and midnight "sunrises". Surely that introduces an ending that has had the most wonderful beginnings.

This writing.. very much yours, taught me how to live whilst able, dear Chris. Your response below says almost as much as your unique and touching poem

[Chris]

I stood looking across such beautiful gardens from the castle battlements... great way to wind down.

[Jack Cassidy]

Subtle expressions resulting in an inevitable reality. A known ending that time reveals to us all.

[Chris]

Life as we live it... thanks for pausing with my thoughts.