Last Family Vacation

Hands grip sand looking for support.

Body falls into the grains

moments- then hold.

 

Breath; catch it, I inhale slow, raspy.

Exhale, choppy through sobs.

My eyes are tight, cheeks burn, brushed by wind.

 

I want it all to go away.

Him.

Them.

It’d be easier if it were me.

 

If there were one less worry

in the stress of raising an

impossible son. One less critique

for a son finding his way past absent parents.

 

If I walked into the indigo and let

the shushing swell above my head.

Another breath.

 

It’s instances like these-

my brothers climaxed voice,

my parents silence,

 

clanging and sweeping of objects off

the table,

the threat of something worse,

like times before-

 

when images of past

seep into my mind,

cloud my vision of present,

future.

 

Eyes open wide toward the sky,

they tilt back tears,

and instead of falling, see

 

the navy sky filled with specks of brilliant light,

receding back, and further back-

oblivion, sublime whatever word you choose- it’s purpose,

fifteen minutes ago isn’t so significant.

Reviews

[E G TEN]

Well written, nicely constructed and your words are well indented. And the story was also well in tacked from beginning to the end" thanks for sharing and thanks for the add! ;)

[MacbeMe]

"Eyes open wide toward the sky, they til back the tears..." such a simple line but I really liked it and its place in the poem. I really enjoyed this poem. Keep them coming.

[earthperceptions]

Thank you! I definitely will =)

[SleeplessVolcano]

Walking into indigo may just open doors we never imagined exited.....I like the way your poetry sounds like the soundtrack of thoughts.....flowing, as if no one is listening, but captivating at the same time.

Then, the navy sky offers hope......which may be as fleeting as fifteen minutes, but who knows what may be discovered if the right color and the right time collide.......brilliant poetry!

[earthperceptions]

Thank you for your kind comments! " a soundtrack of thoughts" what a great thing to be compared to and be made aware of.
Thank you for reading =)

[Steven]

I like the juxtaposition of the present potion of pain spilled between family in a room, on a table, in the barks of three people and in the pain of a forth observer, staining them all, and that of the greater immense universe and its mindless unknowing power and ear shattering sounds imperceptible from this small spinning collection of elements, framing it properly. Great perspective, and I think, rare. It seems enough to quell that pain. I heard a pessimist say once that life can be reduced to distractions and despair, and fortunately you cannot experience both at the same time.

Nice write.

[earthperceptions]

Steven, thank you for your insightful comments. It's interesting what you say about the pessimists I've never thought about it that way before but it does seem even when distracting oneself there is this creeping fear and awareness of despair. Maybe they cannot be experienced at the same time but I wonder if in a more zenful perception they do co-exist?
Thank you for reading =)

[Steven]

Could be. Or it could be Pavlovian ;)

My pleasure.

[soulremedies]

Oh my god. By knowing you, I knew your writing would be phenomenal and breathtaking. Such a broken poem but also filled with so much hope. This is brilliant, especially the imagery and how you’re able to leave the reader in such an emotional state. I’m so impressed katelyn, I can’t wait for more. Super excited that we can share our work with each other. :)

[earthperceptions]

Aww thank you Ayanna. you always make me feel like my art and now writing is worth while. I am so glad you suggested this we should have get togethers at the coffee shop and write and talk about each others writing!