my father did not go gently

my father did not go gently
climbing out of his hospital bed
in sheer panic as death
poked at him with darkness

his dynamo hum stolen
at the brink of dread
dignity eaten by slow extinction
it was a flawed farewell

there is no gentle goodbye
no going away in grace
no other place empowers
organic time's affection

brief life breaks softly
master mystery of being
a dream a view a window
a heart with intent's longing

the clock stopped
in the middle of madness
earth's pulse pounded
in a yet bigger heart




Poetry by Bob
Read 702 times
Written on 2014-05-02 at 20:38

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F.i.in.e Moods The PoetBay support member heart!
Poignant and powerful, your words leave a lasting impression. Excellent.
2014-05-05


Lawrence Beck The PoetBay support member heart!
Nicely written, Bob. This is my favorite poem of yours.
2014-05-04


Rob Graber
My parents both went rather gently, for which I am glad; but only after prolonged physical (Dad) or mental (Mom) deterioration. How to go? I agree with Ashe: we probably don't really have much control. Good write!
2014-05-03



Death! How will we face it? We all hope to go gently ... but it seems we have little choice in the matter, or control of how it happens. It seems to me the cruelest part of life. We live a life with dignity, as much as we can, but we have no control of how we die. Both my parents died in excruciating pain without the availability of pain killers. Hospitals and Hospice can help a great deal, only they didn't have a chance.
A very poignant and well written piece.
2014-05-03


melanie sue
Superbly written and one that I definitely relate to. My father, mother and younger brother did not go gently either. Thank God for the morphine that eventually helped ease them on into the afterlife.
2014-05-02