Passage

October 17, 12 midnight
your skin paper mache thin
my heart beat in sync with yours
your journey is about to begin
I am left behind
the priest, in my dream places his hand on my shoulder,
if you need me, you know were to find me
this passage to the unknown,
no passport requirements, it's all duty free
the Holy water washes your wounds
no armor or shield can defend us
photons and atoms, don't mean a thing
put away your telescope, it's infinity
your foot is hanging off the cliff
my strength is not enough
these machines all look impressive
ciphering and estimating
your fingers loosen their grip
the rock starts to crumble below
concrete nor granite will not hold you up
you exit the room, with ease and dignity,
without a sound
the clock stops at 12

Reviews

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Passage"
Hebe,
To place your tribute to this very precious
person in poetry was very lovely and fitting.
It reads as if a dream a place in your soul
is given a place to say goodbye to your
loved one. Images within tell of the "passage."
"photons and atoms, don't mean a thing
put away your telescope, it's infinity
your foot is hanging off the cliff
my strength is not enough"
Also I love how this poem
begins and ends
with the same
time: 12:00.
Beautiful all through.
blessings dear person.
Kathy

[Pete]

Very somber. It actually scared me. Felt like it was check-out time. Great title, descriptions, feeling, writing. What more could one want from a read?

[Hebe]

Thank you Pete, appreciate your words....

[Hebe]

Thank you for your heart felt review. It was hard, she was my best friend, and still too young to go.

[ReedWrite]

I loved this piece. It's beautiful...and moving. So familiar to those who have lost loved ones...watched them through the last moments of their earthly lives...wondering what the beyond holds for them. With the last rites given, and despite all the machines doing their thing...they eventually heave a sigh and let go. Slip away with 'ease and dignity'. Thank you for posting this poem. It's beautiful.

[Hebe]

Thank you so much.....lovely review ... it came out with out much thought...just pain.

[Neal S]

Hebe this is great! Makes me think of the paper thin skin of the old. How death comes for us no matter how armored. Then slips us off to begin our travel to that other place. The ending reminded me of how families would stop the clock at the moment of the person passing keeping that moment in time..Really liked this work.