Dismissed
A plume of smoke
Catches my throat
Mother’s Marlboro’s
Still a fast friend
She worries as if she is paid
Grappling for his hand
Her chatter is incessant
Yet nothing is said
A chasm parts us
Sure as the red sea is red
The room holds and aged man
Whose breath is running out
Each one heavy labored
How will I live without
Charged with enduring days
Optimistic till the end
He is my father
Always my best friend
Time is short
Days are long
He is ready to be dismissed
To end his life’s song
Weary, I am home
1:00 a.m. I get the call
Relief, regret
Dismissed he does fall
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Author:
Katie B. (
Offline) - Published: March 16th, 2026 06:28
- Category: Short story
- Views: 30
- Users favorite of this poem: Tristan Robert Lange, A.N.
Offline)
Comments7
Tension and then the finality of the last line. An abrupt stop as if a concrete wall in the windshield. A powerful poem cushioned with the soft but tense beginning. Very nicely done.
As always, thank you so much for your helpful feedback.
Blessings, Katie
You are most welcome Katie
But who paid their taxes?
Katie, this hit me hard…there’s such raw honesty in the way you move through those final hours. The room, the smoke, the waiting…all of it carries that quiet heaviness that comes when time is running out. The ending lands with real emotional weight. A powerful piece, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
Thank you so very much for the great review!
Most welcome, Katie! Great poem.
Superb work.
Thank you so very much!!
Good write K.
Thanks!!
A sketch of great veracity, not a spare word or line yet a complete truth. Thanks for that, Katie.
Thank you so much for the great feedback. Very kind of you.
Wonderful words Katie, that end come to all but what we must do is remember the good times we had with them.
Andy
Thanks so much Andy!!
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