Thursday, February 11, 2021

Two Poems and a Poem: Ritual 1, Day 16

 Two Poems:

“The Roman Circus” by Barbara Kingsolver 

“Imaginary Exile” by Richard Blanco 


A Poem:

Inevitable Unimaginable

by ljkemp

Dawn breaks my window and dares me 

to write a poem brave enough to imagine

the last day I will ever hear her voice 

wash over my ears into my heart 

through my soul, the final recording

to the DVR of my conscious mind

and then gone forever-


a poem recreating the playful animated way 

she spoke Hi, Babycakes! or I love you very much 

and then she would say my full name,

first, middle, maiden, and married strung

altogether as though it was one. Or the

verbal issuance of “a big fat juicy kiss

from Grammy” to me and my husband

and especially my son.


a poem that captures the last time he

raised a glass in his hand and strung

together a sentimental and patriarchal

toast about family and spending time 

together. Or that recalls the last text he 

sent, asking me what I think about...

Or the last time I giggled when his text, 

written like a letter was signed , ❤ Pops.


a poem ending as I try to hold on to 

their hands, and feel their fingers slipping

away from mine and into the hands of G-d

toward eternal light, as I fall to the ground

behind them in heartache unparalleled 

in civilized human experience.


Italics: The opening line is from Blanco’s poem, which also served as mentor for the form. The final line is from the Kingsolver poem.


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