I Almost Called

I called the other day
Almost called
Like always, i just picked up the phone
And for a moment, I believed you would be there
And I could hear your voice
Accepting, safe

The last time we talked, you said
"I'm tired, I'm going to sleep"
That was it
Our conversations became shorter
And you, more quiet, and weak
But I'm stuck here
To figure out life on my own
Rage grips my throat
Then hours of silent sobs

So little time in the end
To make sure I asked every question
To hear all you wanted to say
Meanwhile your dead skin cells settled around the room
Like dust
And you got so small
The person who was always strong
And you decayed
From my Father to a corpse in three months

I know I can't scream
I can't bring you back
I can barely work and function
Breathe, digest, squeeze my heart so it pumps blood
But for a moment the other day
Just like I used to
I almost called

Reviews

[aphrodite61]

i was extremely impressed with this poem. towards the beginning, you can't quite tell who you "almost called" which gives it a little suspense and mystery. you go on to describe in vivid detail the emotions you must have because you feel you can't call. the second to last paragraph when you say that it was your father really packs the most emotion; the reader can feel it in their gut (i did). this was fantastic work, keep it up. (if it was true, i am very sorry for your loss..)