Parachutes

Syd

 

Sudden flashbacks 
To when the news was broken 
Vivid memories and laughter,
An endless summer time
A silent film plays in my minds eye
To which no words are spoken 

 

Now two weeks and 20 years have passed
I'm dropped at an unfamiliar cemetery
I can't see the chapel from the masses of graves and trees.
I almost hope I have the wrong funeral 
The chapel is small and almost empty 

 

I slide into the empty back row
No more than a dozen mourners for a thirty seven year old
I'm only the second person I've seen with a shirt and tie
And I'm just in time to hear the minister tell a tale of suffering and sorrow... the way in which your brother died

 

Three candles are lit
One for each brother
I'm not religious but I pray...
I pray that life is kind to your mother
And to you... 
The last remaining brother

 

You were always so tall for your age when we were kids.
Now you look so frail, malnourished 
A prisoner of your fate
You look defeated, mistreated 
No energy left for emotion, commotion, love or hate.

 

How I remember our youth
Before your father crashed his car.... Dead
I remember our youth, we played paratroopers jumping from sheds... 
With carrier bags to trap air, held at arms length above our heads to soften our fall

 

Do you remember? Us making a camp in the trees...a second home. Or is your consciousness preoccupied... by your next hit of methadone?

 

It doesn't matter no doubt, we've spent so long apart.... But my memories of parachutes from carrier bags....

 

I hold close to my heart

 

RIP

  • Author: Syd (Offline Offline)
  • Published: October 17th, 2018 14:43
  • Comment from author about the poem: True life events & emotions
  • Category: Friendship
  • Views: 30
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Comments +

Comments2

  • Goldfinch60

    Very moving tribute.

    • Syd

      Thank you Goldfinch. I'm glad you like my tribute.

    • Tamara Beryl Latham - The Poet

      Wow! What an excellent write. I feel as though I was living there too -through your words.

      Our memories never let us forget the good times we've experienced. 🙂

      • Syd

        That's so true Tamara. I'm glad you enjoyed the poem. Thank for reading and leaving feed back.

        • Tamara Beryl Latham - The Poet

          You're welcome Syd.



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