DISTANCE

People who think that online friendship isn't real, hasn't been around one in a time of tragedy...08 09 14

Splinters of the past
lodge sadistically into
her haunted skin
planting harsh interrogations
into mortal cul-de-sacs
spinning mentally around
the core of doggedly
immortal milestones
A reality of sordid
trick questions
zap her mourning mind
like tasers of inscrutable
reminders
Closure is a hobbled
incantation handicapping
semblances of fervent prayers
Consolation drowns in remnants
of a crying candle
forced to light the dark
continuum of anniversaries
spread around a palpitating
future like frosting on a toxic cake
or a pen of tears
soaking my resigned deacon
of a distant notebook
blurring any prospect of
comprehending words

A convulsion of dividing
miles mapped inside
the vision of a motion
sickened deckhand
Smiles and embraces
whittled down to an incredulous
scribe of elegies immune
to flight on zephyrs
of a palpable alignment
of the presences of
mourner and observer

Author's Note

Reviews

[Benita-Staebell M - Kin..]

Very sad and understandable I hope you're
well my friend thank you for sharing.


I have online and long dissentient
friends if I lost them that I was very close
to would be very hard some I've never meet
wish I could .

Blessings. Benita/ kindred poet

[kublakhan27]

I understand what you mean wholeheartedly Benita...so glad you enjoyed this one, thank you as always for the kind words.

[Benita-Staebell M - KindredPoet]

you're welcome. thank you for sharing was a pleasure. Blessings. Benita/ kindred poet

[Robbie~xoxo~]

This truly touches my heart, Stevie...

The emotions overflow with love and compassion for a dear friend.

When friendships evolve, there is a special bond that forms...the heart of friendship is to understand and accept each other with open arms. And you did this wonderful thing, you gave support.

Magnificent write!~xoxo~:)

[kublakhan27]

And my heart is equally touched by your kind words my friend :) She's really evolved into my best friend over time, and I desperately wanted to write something as authentic as possible to reflect that bond, since it's really the tough times that demonstrate just how strong and valuable a friendship is, even online...we can all be friends when things are going well, but the ones that stick with you in the sad times are the truest friends, and she's stuck with me in my darkest times...I'll never know how a woman that has been through so much is able to still smile and manage to lift the spirits of her friends, and still find the time to write amazing poetry in the process...she really is something else...so glad you enjoyed this one my dear friend, needless to say I hold this one very close to the heart :) xoxo

[Shirlena]

I have had so many online relationships now I can't count. A few ended, some just faded out of existence. For the most part they have been really precious acquaintance and I am better for knowing. This beautiful lady is certainly one of them and deserves every tribute she can stand. She's got a tough shell but all heart underneath. You can try to hide it all you want Mommie-sita but I love you and I see you too. This is heartwrenching and as always brilliant Kub and you do her much justice :). You both are two of the most prolific poets I know. I'm happy to be acquainted with you both. Oneness!

[kublakhan27]

Thanks so much Shirlena...this was a meticulous and (needless to say) emotional write...you've said it all here...I'll never know how she's able to deal with all of her issues while still making time for her friends, and on top of all that, write amazing poetry on a daily basis...she's the strongest woman I know, and my dearest friend, so I was determined to give her as good and heartfelt poem as possible...I'm happy to know that I pulled it off...thanks so much for the kind words my friend, and you know you are a great friend to both of us :)

[Shirlena]

You're welcomed and thank you for being a friend Kubla.

[B-poet]

This poem possessed a raw emotional fire from start to finish. A point well proven. Great work Kubla. An exceptionally thought-provoking read. :)

[kublakhan27]

Thanks so much B, glad you enjoyed it :)

[redflutterby]

You shared your feelings regarding her in the way you do best. With the most amazing lines ive ever read. Theres is really nothing I can add besides you are the epitome of a good sincere friend. As for what you said about there not being real friendship online...well I'm afraid theres truth to that. Most sites including this one are awash with junior high like behaviour where friendship is more about what you can get from others in exchange for claiming your their friend. Maybe its for reviews or popularity...maybe its just needing others constant attention...whatever it is it thrives on social sites. Its hard enough in real life to tell if a person cares much less on a website where tone of voice and body language can't be determined. Its a gamble really. Youve always been a kind concerned friend and I count you as one of a small group who I call friend.

100 hugs for a wonderful tribute to a friend on her hardest day...xo

[kublakhan27]

Thanks so much my dear friend, your kind words mean so much, more than you know really...I'm with you on the online thing...yes many of them are fake, but when you fall into circumstances such as these, you find out pretty quick which ones are sincere, and those who know Frieda and I know for a fact that our friendship is very real...I can't lay claim to a whole lot of friends, but my dearest ones are here...it kind of works the other way around for me...I can only express my true feelings in words because I'm too shy and introverted to do it in the flesh, and that's why my real friends are here...I've been through a few of those fake ones, don't worry, but it's helped me shape a pretty good idea of when I'm threatened with one of those...I never had any doubt that you were a friend long before we actually started talking regularly, and I'm honoured and happy that you see me in the same light...I'm so glad this one meant as much to you as it does to me, and your support for my work has gotten me through an awful lot of dark times, including this weekend...thanks so much red..xo

[Frieda P]

You know I'm short on words today, and this left me pretty much speechless after I read it, your poetry eased my sorrow a bit, as I know this was written from the dearest part of your heart and pen'd with affection, it's evident whilst reading. Five years feels like a lifetime, yet she was here only yesterday, I sitll listen to her last message to me....the day would have been totally agonizing without your endearing words and ever present support Steve, you own my heart in this moment. This gesture truly meant the world to me. Much love xo

[kublakhan27]

It's okay love, you don't need to say a word...what you've already said here has brought tears to my eyes, and believe me, I've shed a few already today...I know to a degree how you feel, but you've been through so much more...I only wish I had more to say but it's really all in the poem...I can tell you that it means the world to me to know that I could help in some small way...I know the pain cannot be alleviated but I'm just so glad that I could write something that provided some semblance of comfort...you know I'm going to save this review and cherish it dearly, just as you cherish your memories of Lee......you know you have my heart and my hugs, and above all, my love...thank you Frieda...xo

[Lyn Anderson]

This is beautiful. And I am done.:)

[kublakhan27]

No worries my friend...that is all I had hoped to hear :)

[Mark]

Yes… Kubla.. yes…

heart and soul..
essence…

she will feel too, in reading you… as we all do…
I am so overcome by the emotion in how you have expressed your self today..
that I'm afraid this review just wont truly express.. just how much I love the way you write…

Thank you Kubla


Thank you..

[kublakhan27]

No words necessary, my friend...I'm not sure I'd have the words respond anyway...it's all in the poem...I'm just glad you felt as much emotion in reading it as I did writing it...needless to say, this was one of the toughest things I ever had to write, but I'd do it again a million times over...thanks so much for the kind words nevyn, they mean the world.

[Sophy Freebirds]

Yep.. online friendships can be very REAL..the way you wrote this steve from the bottom of your heart makes me feel it.. Freida is an amazing person who has stayed strong inspite of everything she had gone through.the love and care you show for her in this poem despite the distance will make her feel proyd.It will does prove this theory of yours.. though the MILES seperate you two- you will be an observer and mourner for her.. An amazing write.You are a friend she will treasure.. xx ;)

~Sophy

[kublakhan27]

Thank you so much Sophy, I'm so glad that my emotion got across and that this one spoke to you so resonantly...yes our friendship has endured through the miles for two years now, but it's on these days that I really feel it...but when the dust settles, I'll continue to be here for her just as she's always been there for me...so glad you enjoyed this one, needless to say this one means a lot to me.

[Sophy Freebirds]

Cheers to your friendship ;) always a pleasure K.K

[Rita L. Sev]

Steve, so beautiful is your soul... This poem is a love song of sorts, flowing with compassion and understanding. Yes, online friendships are real, and you are a true friend.

[kublakhan27]

Thanks so much Rita, it was not an easy write as you can imagine, but I'd do it a million times over...she's the best friend I have, online or anywhere...I'm glad that you felt the emotion in this piece, it means a lot to me. It already hasn't been a great day so I can only imagine how it is for her, but I can only hope that I've provided some therapy for her with these words.

[Rita L. Sev]

Seems to be a hard time for many of us today... But you know, just reading this gave me strength, too - a knowledge that we are in this tragic comedy called Life together...

[kublakhan27]

You've brought a smile to my face on a day when it's been tough to smile...yes it has been a rough day, that's why I haven't done any reading today, my head just isn't in it...thanks so much Rita...it means the world to know I could inspire someone with my words.

[Lydia Shutter]

The compassion and empathy with which you have written this is truly overwhelming, Steve. On line friendships CAN work. The level of understanding you portray here proves that beyond a shadow of a doubt. Anniversaries of loved ones' deaths are very difficult. We do taste the salt of tears on those days, but knowing that friends understand and empathsize can go a long way towards making those anniversaries a bit more palpable. It never truly gets easier even though people say it will. The memories are fine, but not being able to hold the person who is gone close or hear his/her voice, well, that is heartbreaking and always will be. I hope Frieda feels the hug you sent her with these words. Written from your heart! Lydi**

[kublakhan27]

When it comes to writers, I think online friendships are the most real ones we can have...we live our lives through words, especially with regards to someone like myself who is shy and introverted in the flesh, so there is a purity in the connections that are borne, should we be fortunate enough to cross paths with someone as special as Frieda...but in times like these you do want to be there in the flesh to offer a hug and a shoulder...that was the driving theme behind this piece, my feeling of helplessness over being so far away and unable to really reach out to that friend...needless to say this was not an easy write, and not the occasional tear, but I'd do it every time...it won't make it all away, but I hope it at least gives her a smile...thanks so much Lydi, it means a lot to me that this one spoke to you.