Pine Floor

Pine Floor

I shaved this morning but

No razor will scrape away this beard 

the sun went away last night            crusty eyed

I should have had a say in it but

that's not my part 

she says

such a thing just can't be allowed

We're sorry

the lights went out with the thunder 

a tough time even for solar power

dancing ghost grey whitener                           

in tree veins

making so much noise            

cracking

cold crept deadly across the floor

it lay there .........  just lay there

one eye open

the strike            must have been an instant  

dog senses deafened by its silence

stunning ..... and brilliant         so 

                                             

                                        

not to be looked at

                                         

                                            

I wasn't sure what to say ...

(i SHOULD have had a say) 

                                                   

                                           

what does one do?

i should have the map

limbs turning corners and avenues 

folding and

over ending on each other

                                                 

                                                    

what am i going to do when i run out of things to do?

how can I sit ... or even pose in such positions

                                           

                                                   

I had no say in the matter

nothing i could do

                                                          

                                                   

the floor is the one thing holding up now

where she laid ... in release ... not repose

                                         

                                                         

there are no complaints from grain and roughness

no creaking, no moaning

it's just  ...the bare floor ... pine boards all knotted

                                                    

                                                  

she whispered her breath ... her death breath

so fast there was no

crossing over it

                                                  

                                              

there was only instant Christ machinations     and    

                                                                           me   

                                                                                and                                                                                          

                                                                                       dog  

                                                                                             and

                                                                                

                                 pine floors breaking.

11/22/2020

E

Author's Note

Reviews

[Lydia Shutter]

((((((Gene)))))) the raw emotions in this poem made my tears well up. The song is absolutely perfect for your words. To see the floor, to walk on it every day, to know she was there and there was nothing you could do to save her....the pain is like a knife. No, my friend, no razor can scrape away the beard of grief. It never really is washed down the sink. It does, however, scratch a bit less with each passing day. This has to be one of your best, E.....I am applauding here. Lydi**

[Einstein Noodle]

Thank you Lydi ... that's all I can say is Thank you

[Soren]

Dear Poet this can be read on different levels, my first reading was literal and the sorrow for the floor that was once a living thing, my next was the floor personified as all of us that are used and age without any say on our part. It is a haunting and melancholic write of loss and helplessness. Well done

[Einstein Noodle]

Soren, you brought me back in time .. tho not that far back that i am numb to the inspiration for this one .. when we hurt .. we know we are still human eh!? thanks so much for taking time and choosing to read and review this particular poem .. yes! some things are simply out of our control .. and .. i think .. that is a good thing .. love and joy
to you
E.

[KWP]

Hey You,

Yeah wow - words or no words, perhaps the most warm embracing, long lasting hug instead. Thank you for writing these words, it allows newness for some. It brings me closer to you - and that - I cherish. You are amazing and I am sending the biggest love from me to you.

I hope you are stying safe and well ... Its a lovely Autumn Day this side. Dodger is loosing his hearing, but not his bounce - we shall enjoy the day a bit later XXX

[Einstein Noodle]

means more to me than words KW ... i gratefully receive it too! Our summer is ready to kick into 4th gear ... days are long and longer .. my solar lights stay on almost through dawn they are so juiced up. Give Dodger best regards from me and Beau ... may we all live out long and peacefully .. our lives

[Ruth]

Dear E - when I read your poetry, so often I find I am moved to literal tears - we are no competition for death when he decides to visit - the astringent emotions wrapped within this poem made my heart ache - the world does indeed shatter at such moments...all one can do is take a few breaths and ebb and flow with life ey...

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you for your heart felt empathy .. bring tears up in me, Ruth. We are one with everyone in such shatterings ... even the young experience it in their own worlds ... seemingly insignificant to "adults" but someone takes that last bite of the candy bar that was yours ... its a major injury .. i deeply appreciate your reading and this review, Ruth .. thanks you again .. so very much!
E.

[Sherri Moshman Paganos]

This was an evocative poem about loss and grief. I really liked the vivid sound imagery, the contrasts between silence and the storm, such as the "cracking cold crept deadly across the floor." The language was very powerful. And "I should have the map" -- we never really have the map do we in cases like this.
S.

[Einstein Noodle]

no we do not ... i think that is the point when loss and sorrow strike deep .. we learn we have no control and must trust and have Faith to "let go" and "let God" carry us ... i think of it as a current too strong to fight .. we simply must just turn on our backs and float down stream until calm eddies allow us to climb out ... greeted by all those who have floated the same river before me ;) thanks for taking time Sherri! Its nice to have met you... right here at the Cafe'
E.

[emmajoy]

Empty sans the presence of someone deeply loved hurts more than... but, the ability to protect that person's eternal Being as you have is - a miracle.
Extraordinary words. The song echoes.

Dear friend, please peep at tonight's Pink Moon. (Gene)

[Einstein Noodle]

luv ya Em! and thank you!

[Coyote Poetry]

Hello my friend.
"there are no complaints from grain and roughness
no creaking, no moaning
it's just ...the bare floor ... pine boards all knotted"
The poem bled to the paper and I could feel the thoughts, the memories. The above lines. Powerful and left me with something to think about. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Einstein Noodle]

and thank you for your very sensitive reading of this one John ... much appreciated!

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome my friend.

[sharonlee]

.... moved to shuddering sighs and unanswered whys.... and speechless silence which echoes within memories that resonate with this moment....

This one will linger in my soul dear friend x

Sharonlee

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you for taking time Sharon .. and choosing this one ... you are a soft and sensitive soul says i ...that it spoke to you deeply blesses me day .. luv and peace!
E.

[sharonlee]

The moon rises in my night already, and daytime thoughts drift into night time ones...
Take care Einstein

[Einstein Noodle]

the moon set at about 1:30 AM already .. she rises in the day light this past week or so .. i miss her in the night skies .. she is allusive .. trying to capture my heart and soul ..playing hard to get ;))))))))

[sharonlee]

Ahhh the moon has mysterious magic about her...

[Einstein Noodle]

yes! that is my chosen belief too ... where Science lets off

[Pryde Foltz]

what does one do?
i should have the map
limbs turning corners and avenues
folding and
over ending on each other

Exhale ... letting go one you have loved for so long and feeling their energy passed is a little like breaking of a silent damn. The energy of it ... you capture something very difficult to capture.

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks always for reviewing .. i appreciate you sensitive reading ... i fell pretty blessed it touched you ... love and peace always

[Seriana]

I am stunned to silence. This being the first poem of yours I have read. A snapshot of a tragic moment in life. Losing a beloved. Remembering later, the what, where and why? The pain felt is acute.
Raw emotion. Excellently executed.

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you for taking time Seriana! for your sensitive reading of this .. your empathy is a comfort to all around you I am sure ... be well ..stay safe ... and see you 'round eh!? right here at the Cafe'
E.

[Poetic Beauty]

Sounds like a tragic event either real life or a dream. I felt as if I was watching this scene unfold before my eyes.

[Einstein Noodle]

well hello Ms. Beauty! thank you so much for taking time to read and review ...i will stop by your streets soon and repay your kind visit :) so nice to be getting to know you .. right here at the Cafe'
E.

[Poetic Beauty]

I’ve read a few of your pieces before. It’s probably been quite sometime for I pop on here and there and take long vacant spells.

You are more than welcome for the review and read