STAINED SHIRT

past and future: dual beliefs

 y

Black rain descends upon my frail shoulders

envelops me in haunting shadows

traps me in a universe of darkness

I turn to drink, whole bottle, sickly

onyx droplets flow from blood red eyes

ghosts of the past and future considerations

obstruct my clear thinking

others share what is to come

I quiver to imagine being alone

 

Already my life seems broken

torn in directions

stress consumes me

it touches every organ

I shall rest my head on a pillow to ease

so many notions at once

two elderly souls with distinct outlooks

on life and  death

pain on the rain-soaked shirt

we keep until

our faces are smothered in ash

Author's Note

photo by occutopia.com
Thank you for reading!

Reviews

[Michael Sun Bear]

Oh my god Betty, this collection of words struck me like a dagger to the heart. A great piece of writing.

[Betty Hermelee]

thank you Michael for a great review; it is pretty emotional!
Warmly, B🌷

[Starr]

WOW, this is one powerful write, I love your imagery as well. Nicely done

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Starr for fine review!
Warmly, B

[berenongur]

wow that was really impressive. when people get stuck about life, thinking about death always leads to two far ends; Albert Camus or Sartre. either you ignore everything or you live more carefully, this changes at certain stages of life. but I felt it deeply in each of the sentences of your poem. very impressive. we are all here until we turn into ashes, aren't we? no matter what we do
i am amazed

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Berenongur...a lovely, understanding review...
Warmly, B

[MCS]

Powerful sober read, enjoyed the imagery. Well done!

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you very much!
Warmly, B

[MCS]

My pleasure, excellent read.

[Light and ashes]

The first stanza reads like something written possibly for Halloween.
The second stanza progresses into something truly sad. Overall, very good work.

[Betty Hermelee]

thank you for your kind review🌷
warmly, B

[Light and ashes]

You are very welcome.
😊

[Dylan Macadham]

Time and tide wait for no (wo)man." -Chaucer
Beautifully written, Betty.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Dylan for a lovely review, much appreciated🌷
Warmly, B…

[Pryde Foltz]

Wow. This is a powerful write. Gripping imagery and prose that seems to almost possess movement. And that ending ... it's breathe stopper. Superb work:)

[Betty Hermelee]

WOW! Such an amazing review...and so appreciated!!! Thank you,
Warmly, B

[Pete]

wow. dark and haunting stuff. such vivid imagery. just don't ask me to do the laundry of this one, top notch writing.

[Betty Hermelee]

thank you for an excellent review, much appreciated!
Warmly, B🌷🌷🌷

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Betty.. we live in terrifying Times... when Shadows multiply. We wait for the Sun to Rise with lavender blue and soft Rain will become Dew on sleeping Flowers against the fading Moon. Tenderly, Pat

[Betty Hermelee]

Dear Pat, a beautiful outlook on life and colorful review! thank from my heart
warmly, B💥💥💥💥🌷🌷🌷🌷

[Soren]

The darkness of aging separation and the loneliness of growing distant. Black tears indeed. Well worded it brought a definite feeling of isolation. Very nicely done Betty

[Betty Hermelee]

yes , it was pretty dark, but a real feeling of confusion about the future, agin, death
thank you for your understanding Soren
Warmly, B🌷🌷🌷🌷