The Hours of One Day

Poetic Asides – Poem-A-Day Challenge, Day 6 prompt:

Record events that happen to you during the day and then create a poem from them.



The Day After The Day After

dawn breaking
through the window
sleep pushed away
and reality
the absence of
a beloved grandmother
acutely felt
a cup of tea
at mama’s table
conversation and quiet
a red-fabric covered journal
a faithful friend
jotting notes
with my favorite pen
memories of her story
recorded in bits and pieces
treasured, not to be forgotten
hugs and more hugs
from aunts, uncles, cousins
tears and laughter
more stories from the past
remembering a life
well lived, well loved
stolen moments of quiet
in a crowd of forty family members
a pot of cactus on the porch
hens and chickens spreading
into a square corner
a carelessly tossed cigarette
leaning against the green
makes me smile through tears
a table full of family
all looking like her
sounding like her
missing her
remembering her
love and laughter
shared across five generations
a tired heart
a tired mind
a tired body
bidding goodnight
crawling into
borrowed sheets
borrowed bed
drifting off to sleep
with Amazing Grace
echoing in my head


TLS, April 2008