Bulky, deep-voiced, bushy-bearded,
smoker (both kinds)
acquainted with drink.
How could he be an angel?
Thus:
’deep down
’deep down
a gentle, gentle soul’
(words of a mourner
on facebook); ‘the kindest,
sensitive, most creative …
deepest feelings’ (another);
his musical gift; and the way
he always had my back.
I like to think of him
pleasantly surprised
finding himself there;
can well imagine he’d choose
to stay now, not come back
for another turn on the wheel.
Adios, Bro!
[Poem #106]
I'm sharing this one at the latest Tuesday Platform at 'imaginary garden with real toads', and at Poets United's Poetry Pantry #485.
[Poem #106]
I'm sharing this one at the latest Tuesday Platform at 'imaginary garden with real toads', and at Poets United's Poetry Pantry #485.
This is incredibly heartfelt and poignant, Rosemary!💞
ReplyDeleteUsed to be when fellow drank and smoked he was no good. Me, my mother didn't know all. She took my cigarette lighter one night when she hung up my clothes. Then in it's place she left me a note.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard of this brother before. I'm sorry for you in his going. You will miss him.
..
That I will!
DeleteThis made me smile and think of a friend I lost a few years ago. I think he might have had a laugh at some of the over-saccharine sentiments applied to him after his death. To remember him without some of his less than angelic aspects feels like a betrayal.
ReplyDeleteI think human angels come in many guises.
DeleteHe sounds like a gentle-hearted bear of a man, who touched many hearts. A cool idea to write poems the number of words as one's age.
ReplyDeleteYes, he was the kindest person alive, and loved by many.
DeleteHe sounds like a treasure of a person. I smiled at the ending. Sometimes, even though one left unexpectedly, one go-around is sufficient and does not need to be repeated!
ReplyDeleteI love the reality of this portrait. I put a smile on my face and a memory (of my perfectly imperfect) brother in my heart. I can see your friend smiling (and probably nodding) as he reads this.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great challenge and a touching tribute to your brother
ReplyDeleteSome of the most unexpected people leave the greatest impact in our journey. He sounds imperfectly perfect. I once met a man at one of my gatherings. He was a big man rough on the outside, but oh the poetry he created came from a place deep inside, gentle and caring. There was a very frail woman in our group going through a difficult time and he walked across the room and said "the bear told me to give you a hug" He towered her small frame and gave her the gentlest hug, I think there wasn't a dry eye in the room. It's moments like this when one truly sees the interior of the heart.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stirring that memory for me, wiping a tear as I write.
Beautiful Rosemary!
Thanks for sharing that beautiful memory.
DeleteI often imagine our dead listening to our words about them. I love the outer and deeper descriptions here. The bad traits always sound good when they are truth
ReplyDeleteI like this "game", which I'm sure led to some interesting and wonderful poems as is this one of yours.
ReplyDeleteWhat an honest way to remember someone - not as an ideal, but as the real person he was. Angels do come in many forms. So nice that he was in your life.
Always better to be steeped in the good times
ReplyDeleteHappy Sunday
Much❤🕊❤love
It is an interesting prompt to write, but i think it requires tons of discipline. i guess i won't be able to handle it. :)
ReplyDeleteloved the poem you wrote about your adopted brother. angels do come in many guises.
It's certainly an exercise in economy and selectivity! But you are a master of the succinct; I bet you could handle it.
DeleteReading this reminded me of lighting a candle, the spark and then the lift of the light--I'd imagine that your brother was a warm person, and as well-greeted as missed.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful idea... how good to write a poem for someone's age.. and then to your brother too. There are so many aspects that make a person a good person, not all of them the ones immediately seen on the surface.
ReplyDeleteVerse Portraits: What a fav idea. A few snippets of lines (of people who have made an impact on me) are bubbling up like seltzer from the bottom of the glass, as I type … and this one of your brother so tenderly and vibrantly sketched. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute to your brother! Often the people who don't seem to quite fit into this world with its very rigid standards for "rightness" are the best people.
ReplyDeleteAdios... well sent.
ReplyDeleteWhat a valuable way to remember someone in your life. A most beautiful and touching tribute Rosemary.
ReplyDelete