Seconds in time

What would we say to the people who were kind and generous to you? To be able to say goodbye to loves one's who died when you were away.

                                










                                        












                                       Seconds in time


             I learn in a bloody crazy life.


             Seconds become so important.

             I went to war in 1991.
             I called my Gandfather Reyes from Kuwait.
             My sister answered the phone.
             Told me he was dead.
             He died and she didn't want me to be sad.
             Was waiting till I returned.
             I fell down and cried. Wishing to hear his voice.
             I remembered his words. "Stand strong and
              do the right things. A man's is responsible
              for his actions."
              I wished to see him one more time.
             To thank him for his care and love. 


             I held my poor sister at her daughter funeral.
             Her baby girl died for unknown reason in the night.
             I whispered I wished I spend more time with her.
             I was just too damn busy.
        

             She whispered I want my baby back.
             Her sad eyes filled with tears.
             Her broken heart was bringing her into 
             a permanent hell.

              
              She was wishing for one more second.
              To be with her baby girl.
              One more second to hold her baby.
               Be able to tell her Angel
               I love you with all my heart.


               I stood by my brother's casket.
               I cried I wish I was kinder and a friend.
               I wished I told him. " I loved you.
               I wished we celebrated being alive together."


               His twisted life left him alone and afraid.
               Like all fool's.
               I wished to take back the bad discussions.
               I wish I was wiser and kinder.


               My Father fought the Doctor and Nurses.
               I drove 1500 mile to Virginia to be with him.
               He begs me to take him home to die.
               He waited three days for me to arrive.
               He told me "I had to see you my son.
               Tell you.  I love you and I'm so proud of you. "

              He told me.
              Me and your brother's will be waiting for you at the
              big pow wow in Native America paradise.
               I held his hand till he went to the Native American
               hunting ground.
              
               Beautiful Grandma lay in her hospital bed.
               She told me "I love you my sweetie. You will always be
               my baby."
               I sat with her.
               Not wanting to let her go.
               I held on to her every word.
               

               She went to paradise in peace.
               I whispered Lord.
               "Take a new Angel home with open arms.
                She need to dance with Grandfather again." 


               I learn the hard way.
               Be kind in your words in a goodbye.
               Never leave with the last words.
               That were of anger and disappointment.
                 

               Tell them you love them and will miss them.
                Have fun and be safe.


                Today I miss the laughter and voices of
                so many people in my life.


                I wish for more time with them.
                A few more seconds to thank them for their love.
                Thank them for  their example and friendship.

                     Coyote
                        Nov. 2009

Author's Note

Seconds are important. Need to leave family and friends with kind words. Hug and sweet kisses are the memories we need to hold on to. Memorial day is coming. Think of the good people in a life. I will.

Reviews

[☯]

A very meaningful and sad but beautiful poem. I like how the theme reflected real memories and real moral and lessons you attained throughout time and sadness. I feel that seconds are also very important, and we should leave with kind words even if we start with hateful. I was deeply depressed when my grandfather passed away because I never got to speak with him in the last months. A strong and lovely poem.

[compositionc]

That is an amazing poem you wrote. Goodbye doesn't always mean forever. Such an emotional piece.

[Star Wolf]

Goodbye is not forever. It means see you later and if we don't get that chance it can feel pretty bad in our hearts. After reading your story/poem I felt the pain of loss of my loved ones. I wish I could have said goodbye but for me goodbye doesn't speak of permanence, its just saying I'll see you later. Awesome job on this.

[Tina Kline]

A very emotional and loving write. It's so hard to loose loved ones and so often we don't get to say goodbye and that leaves an ache in our heart. You're words are so true and important. Never part in anger with a loved one because it may be the last time you see the person. You just never know.

[TamiViolet]

You always bring every feeling we could possibly feel to the surface, Coyote.... I wasn't able to tell my grandmother goodbye, and the guilt makes me crazy, at times...if for just one more moment... Saying goodbye, and wondering what will happen next.... sometimes wish that the powers that be could reveal the truth as it actually is...but perhaps it's for our own good not to know... You are fascinating in showing the reader cause and effect, trial and error...and the power of goodbye... Your work is timeless.

[Ian Faraway]

The poem had me at the first line and I kept reading it hungrily wanting more. It was very intimate and personal with words so wise and kind that I wish this lesson be taught in school and not through hard times. But, sadly, there is no way to prepare for loss or even a way to know when it'll happen. We just need to keep our hearts wide and open to those who have been with us along our long path. Goodbye is a word that should never be said. For, even in death, we'll rejoin our loves sooner or later. J'adore!

[Liza]

thank you for sharing; this is a very intimate piece; heart wrenching and soul shattering; the loss of life is what triggers a sense of urgency to appreciate each day as well all grow older, others lose health and transition into another realm where the physical is no longer present...thank you again for wanting to inspire an attitude of gratitude for those that love is and have cared for us.

[Kevin Horsley]

This is a very touching and brutally honest piece about a moment we will all have to face.
Reminds me of when I visited my grandma at hospital, I was there having physio on my knee and went to see her afterwards. I'd been doing this for 6 weeks.
This final time she had passed away moments before I got there, she looked so peaceful. All the cares had worn away and she way certainly younger and more beautiful surrounded by the stark white of the hospital. I whispered my goodbyes, and phoned my mum. Then I left for work - because I didn't have the time right then to grieve.

Thank you for this story and its important message, honour those who you love and let not vile words break down what you have.

[Sukriti Suki]

Wow...this is excellent. I was so engrossed. Yes, seconds can change everything. This poem reminded me a lot of things. Wonderful.

[emmajoy]

This is such a beautiful poem, John .. one of the most touching I've ever read anywhere. ' Today I miss the laughter and voices of ~ so many people in my life.'

It echoes what I was taught and what I believe, never be afraid to tell someone 'I love you' .. no matter who, no matter where or how .. because one day it might be too late.

[Aidz]

I wished we celebrated being alive together

I wish we all followed this edict, wonderfully touching scribe.. thank you for sharing