Friday, October 29, 2010

Requesiat in Pace, Carrie 5/9/1979-10/25/2010


Carrie is the one on the far left in pink.
I'm the blond in the stripes.





Shades of Pink
*for Sizzle, who encouraged me to wear pink

In a heartbeat,
a heartbeat stops.



How the road must have been enclosed
in a snowy silence
and all of nature frozen, confused
by the sound of destruction
and screaming of metal.
Afterward.

Somehow "instantaneously"
brings me no comfort.
Surely you were a fighter--
You lingered the span of lifetimes,
if only for a split second.

Physical pain didn't scare you.
And if it did, you walked through it.
You believed
it was temporary.
I didn't know until today
that you were, too.

In peaceful moments,
I picture you in those last few seconds
Your ears filled with the sound of
"Boogie Shoes" or Liz Phair or Stevie Nicks,
singing to an audience of birds and the trees...

But most of the time,
I picture you powerless
trapped in a cage of steel
hurdling towards death--
a place of excruciating silence.

Everyone says it was a blessing
that you died clean.
They say that 11 years is a miracle.
Messages of comfort bring me anger.
Right now, all i know
is that
you are gone.


18 comments:

MorningAJ said...

Nothing that anyone can say will make any difference right now. Just know that our thoughts are with you.

Templeton's fury said...

Thank you, AJ

Jinksy said...

A heart rending tribute - in the spirit of this week's Magpie Tales prompt, too!

Suz said...

it is we left behind that are in darkness
darkness of grief
trying to figure out why
and how
This was a tremendous posting about your friendship
I raise my arms to hold you up
blessings to you Fury

Kathe W. said...

Beautiful words for such a loss

Tess Kincaid said...

Heartfelt and powerful tribute to your friend. Blessings and peace to you.

Anonymous said...

It is tragic to lose someone so young. I'm sorry for your loss.

Anonymous said...

This is such a beautiful poem, memorable - and it breaks my heart that the most beautiful words so often speak of the most dreadful tragedies. May peace be yours...

Carrie Van Horn said...

A moving tribute to your beautiful friend...i know what it is like to looose loved ones this way....God bless you.

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

sad reality,
hope you well.
stay upbeat,
blessings fly your way.

Caty said...

what a tragedy. I know nothing said will ease the pain...only time maybe...but I am sorry for your loss. Even in sadness and tragedy, your writing is beautiful...

Anne H said...

Dear Gentle Soul that you are -
Please be well...

Ella said...

Sorry for your loss; So sad you found a way to describe it in a beautiful way. Pain and Beauty are so closely related~

Corrina Terry said...

This was a lovely tribute to your friend. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Eileen T O'Neill ..... said...

Templeton's fury,

I am sorry to have had to read such a sad piece of your news, but I also feel proud to have you as a poetry friend here at Poets United.
Your loving tribute to your dear friend says it all and shows us your bravery too.

So glad I made a visit to your blog page today.

Best wishes, Eileen

Brother Ollie said...

A beautiful sad poem. Peace and God Bless you Teach.

Sienna said...

With words, we are healed. Blessings on your journey.

brokenpenwriter said...

A beautiful and touching tribute to Carrie; the measure of your loss, sadness and anger reveals the reflection of how much she meant to you. Particularly poignant the words: "all of nature frozen, confused by the sound of destruction" May we all be blessed with a friend who loves us like this...