He pleads
Do not forsake
Cold air to
The mantelplace
Each patterned tile
Memories upon
The cold hearth
Has death begun ?
The black iron
That cradled coal
Now pierces
His very soul
Its twisted frame
In silent voice
Aging hands
Grasping choice.
A special form
Of loneliness
Wraps his frame
Without a kiss
Its cold indifference
Empathy aloof
As smoke which left
Via chimneys shute.
-
Author:
nephilim56 ( Norman Dickson) (
Offline) - Published: July 26th, 2026 03:19
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 118
- Users favorite of this poem: sorenbarrett, Tristan Robert Lange, A.N., A Dying Hero of the Past
Offline)
Comments11
That's a sad tale.
As the fire dies so does a man, thanks for read always much appreciated
What a wonderful metaphor. I remember well at my grandfather's house the fireplace and the cast-iron poker, coal shuttle and iron coal stove in the kitchen.
" Without a kiss
Its cold indifference
Empathy aloof
As smoke which left
Via chimneys shute."
These lines hit me hardest. How true and graphic. Nicely done my friend
thanking you always appreciated friend
Most welcome Norman
A slow extinguishing, the quiet room, the failing body, and the fire losing its last warmth and light all bound together. Most moving truth of life. 🙏🕊️
thanking you much appreciated friend
He begs the dead hearth like it might still answer, hands clutching rust and memory while the room exhales nothing back. The loneliness here isn’t loud—it’s the kind that settles in the bones and waits, patient as ash, for the last bit of warmth to forget his name.
most eloquent comments my friend, much appreciation and thanks
Good write N. Is this about someone becoming lonely at that bus stop? How long is the queue? lol.
At the bus stop you are never lonely, the queue grows bigger every day, all we need is a bloody no 7 to show lol
Well written. The poet reflects on the coldness of their environment, both physically and emotionally, suggesting a deep sense of isolation and despair.
thanking you, always much appreciated
Norman, what one heck of a poignant poem. You make this room feel almost painfully alive, bearing silent witness as an aging man faces grief, isolation, and the terrible question of whether he still wishes to remain. Deeply moving, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
thanking you my friend, your comments always much appreciaated
Clever and thoughtful words Norman.
Andy
always appreciated friend, thanking you
Relating seriously to "twisted soul", and very familiar with a "special form of loneliness" Thanks for this.
thanking you for read, much appreciated
Evokes sorrow and despair. 😞
thanking you, always much appreciated read
🙏🏼
nice!
much appreciated, thanks
To be able to comment and rate this poem, you must be registered. Register here or if you are already registered, login here.