Almost Stranger

An almost-stranger
called me to the hospital
And I rode with my family
Nearer-knowing the reality
than I thought.
I walked through old familiar halls,
Remembering a bout with pneumonia and
Family brushes with car wrecks and cancer.
And then I found my mother--
Weeping,
Tissue box in hand.
“He’s gone,” she said.
And I looked around for my children
And wondered how they would be
Affected by the news.
We sat
And waited
for God only knows what.
And the coroner came and took us in a room
To see him,
that grey, husk of a man.
How could they say that he--
that cold man
Is my father?
I shed a tear or two
And made decisions
Right and wrong
Dreading the day when I would grieve.
Days and weeks passed,
Years came and went,
And I,
Was left to wonder
How you can miss someone
You never had . . .

Reviews

[Deuces]

The last line delivers the fiercest punch, as you describe all in one shot. Lines like "almost stranger" leave the reader in suspense until the very end, when it is realized that the raw truth is that the relationship is not as close as the writer would have hoped. This is extremely honest, painfully naked in thought and beautifully written. Takes a lot of guts to reveal these emotions and write well simultaneously.

[Rossen]

I can relate and see this straight forward reflection in your cup...

Thank you for sharing, Emily~

[JENY]

wow...
the ending of the poem...left me dumb...
very powerful...touching....
enigmatic too...

[Alicante lullaby]

this one is so full of emotions...i know you never had that champion...there are a lot of things that intrigue me about this relation...the daughter father one..

[Jibey]

A beautifully told and deeply sad poem... Death affects us in so many ways... and that feeling of detachment is chilling in its significance...

[Vesa Lee]

.....................
How can you miss someone
You never had...
......................
Heartbreaking and sobering in the same moment.
Excellent job.

[[untitled]]

He's gone and no matter he took something with him.
And as a good mother you thought of your children first.
An amazing piece masterfully written!
Love, Jack

[Barbara Walker]

This poem is very poignant. In this day and age of divorces and estranged families, many people will be able to relate. You've put into words the feelings others may not be able to express. It shows emotion, without being whiny. ...grey, husk of a man, this description works very well in this poem. ...that cold man...the way it is flatly stated, you hear the distance and coldness in the relationship you did(didn't) have with him. Very concise. You show no malice, just the fact that though you know the occasion calls for grieving, the emotion is just not there, though there is the slight message of wanting to be able to have that emotion, but through no fault of your own, you weren't allowed the closeness that would facilitate those feelings. Excellent poem! Barbara

[MamaSissy]

Love it. Thanks for capturing my truth.

[An Ordinary Woman]

Remarkable writing, Emily. This touches me deeply, how could it not? The pain here is so evident, I had goosebumps like all the other readers. I feel badly because I've missed so many of your words recently, not only are you a close friend that I hold dear, but your a favorite poet of mine as well. Shame on me. :+(

There are very strong emotions presented in the message. I find this to be a very good piece.