That Thing

Sonnet

There is a thing we never talk about
and try to push it from our minds each day.
Yes, push it, shove it, try to force it out
though if we fail we know that thing will stay.

It's in that empty chair that's in our sight.
We want to push it, shove it, even kick.
Yes, that could snap its legs, and hope we might
shove down that thing, forbid the sight to stick.

Each day we shut our eyes, but yet that thing
remains within our mental sights, is then
consistent, leaving such a pain, a sting -
a sting that's like an echo. There again!

That thing we never talk about remains.
It will not let us go. Remove its chains!


(29 Jun 2023)

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

loss, being unable or simply unwilling to let go of the grief.
She's there still, even though the chair is empty...life is empty without her.
I see her there, sitting and playing her guitar and smiling...and listening and singing
and loving me like no other friend could.
I hope she still is there, but that thing is something I cannot let go.
beautiful poem about the consistent pain ....
j.

[Andrew John]

Thanks, J. And for sharing your thoughts. (I don't do many sonnets, but like to do the occasional one.)

[Chris Shaw]

The empty chair can certainly hold us in chains. Far better to start talking and let those feelings out. Yes, a sting and a painful reminder of those much loved and missed, gone forever. I have many gone but they are with me constantly talked about as though they were still here. This is a beautiful sonnet. A sad one too. Break the chains I say. Thank you for posting Andrew. Have a beautiful day.

Chris

[Andrew John]

Thanks for your thoughts, Chris. I don't do many sonnets, but it's nice to do the occasional. I suppose there are several poems, here and there, that feature empty chairs, but, hey, can be OK!