Epistle to Paul

[SweetSilverBird]

Epistle to Paul
by Deborah Neher

... So now it's been twelve years...
Do you still live? We were torn from each other.
Can you still feel the constrictions of your heart
With every memory brought back to life?
And, sometimes, is the past so real, that you
can breathe the very air we breathed
- and feel my skin beneath your fingertips..?

In my world there is none replacing you
Though I have kept my paper dolls for comfort sake
My cool resolve is straining.
I can still feel the cool coarse texture of your hair
-and long again for innocence.

Will I carry you in my heart unto my last days
Never knowing what was lost?
This forever unrequited love plays like a tragedy.
Shall we never know our hearts again?
Shall I always dream and awaken empty
-you in your world, -I in mine?

How shall we counsel our children- love our mates?
Are humans never to be allowed perfect love,
But forced to part and seek our surrogates?
I wish for you what I have not:
Conjugal bliss and total amnesia to past perfection,
Renewal of hope - for only that which is attainable
- and gentle sleep without dreams.

[Brigid Briton]

Hi Deb,

This is very sad. I find the line "I have kept my paper dolls for comfort sake" (but shouldn't it be either "for comfort" or "for comfort's sake"?) and "the cool coarse texture of your hair" to be very moving details---the first rather unusual and the second, not so unusual, just very real.

A powerful write.



Brigid

[SweetSilverBird]

You are right Brigid, it should be comfort's. I appreciate your help.

I am so touched that you liked it.

[Brigid Briton]

What's not to like, Deb? Even the photo is awesome.

[JanetGunn]

This is a beautiful poem. Well written, but very sad. Brings a tear to the eye.

[kc]

This is so beautiful and so heartfelt.

Kiss you.