Weeping Bones

With you went so much of me.

Forgive me my silence,

but I have no reply

to the breath of your death

but the tears in my eye.

My heart has been broken,

and the life in me spent

like thunder in the sky

mumbling its discontent.

 

It flutters, and it swings

trapped in a raven’s beak

falling into the flames

whereof lips do not speak.

A prison for my soul

with a coffin and lid,

the night pushes me down

where the living forbid.

 

I reach out to hold you,

but you left me alone.

I stare at the carving

of your name in cold stone.

The words are verboten.

The stars fall from the sky.

The willow is weeping

as the train passes by.

 

If ever you need me,

know I need you the most;

and I will be waiting

for the presence of ghost.

In the chapel of night,

beneath river and stones,

ever be it written

that I weep in my bones.

Author's Note

Reviews

[William Michael Reeves]

Your poem made me think of Anne Rice. It's like you summed up a bunch of her books in one poem. Servant of the Bones, and a ghost love story she wrote, Violin. You go from quoting Rumi in the last one I read to channeling Rice. I've always wondered why willows weep.

[Lorry]

Beautifully expressed, the pain of loss, whilst you need not share who they were with the audience, as the pain is more than palpable enough without the need for naming who meant so much as to who they were, any more than you have allowed in this already perfect piece.

[John the Baptist]

The grief in this one is almost palpable. The deceased is definitely one who was close, but no details are provided. Neither do we know how recent the passing was. I wondered if the raven in verse two is a nod to Poe, who often wrote of loves claimed by death. The mourning here is unbroken, as though the speaker is inconsolable, and time alone will bring any comfort.
PS: In the last verse, consider putting an "a" before "ghost."

[Carmine Branco]

Lovely flow of the rhythm of the verses. Death is always gelid, especially when it takes away those we love. But love is eternal and never dies. The deep pain of loss is so tangible that it brings tears to the eyes, as the reader envisions the emotions that inspired these lovely verses.

[emmajoygreen]

Silence is understandable when followed by the numb chill of the following words. It's as if your flesh and mind has been scourged, scarred and more, Linda. (Friend)

[Betty Hermelee]

A stunning though sad piece, but created so that the reader must weep, must shiver at the emptiness of death, all silence...only your breath which is a whisper.... the need for someone loved, more than he/she ever knew....excellent!
Warmly,
B.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you so much, Betty. I appreciate the visit and the review.

[Betty Hermelee]

You’re very welcome!
Warmly, B

[willweb]

Another sad piece that tugs at the heartstrings of the reader. You take their hand with your words and lead them through your poetic world to show them what feelings, good or bad, are really like.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you, dear friend. I hope you enjoyed your time away. Welcome back!

[Chris Shaw]

Your writing leaves me speechless at times with its depth of feeling Linda. You just go one step deeper than any other poet I know. Amazing work.

Chris

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

O! Wow! Thank you so much, Chris. That is high praise indeed, and I am humbled.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

God, I just love this title.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you, Jacob. Feel free to use it to create a poem of your own with the same title. I think you've connected to it in a special way, and I would love to see the outcome.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

There is something so haunting about the picture above the poem....imagination of her face and expression.
This poem hit hard. It made me tear up...I thought of my friend, Paula, whom I lost back in 1984...my best friend. She was only 27-----I still miss her so much...and "The willow is still weeping"---
j.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

I am glad that you connected with this one, Jacob. I am so sorry to hear about your friend, Paula; and I can tell that her passing deeply affected you. To be loved and missed that much ... she must have been a very special lady. Thank you.