Pine Floor

Pine Floor

I shaved this morning but

No razor will scrape away this beard 

the sun went away last night            crusty eyed

I should have had a say in it but

that's not my part 

she says

such a thing just can't be allowed

We're sorry

the lights went out with the thunder 

a tough time even for solar power

dancing ghost grey whitener                           

in tree veins

making so much noise            

cracking

cold crept deadly across the floor

it lay there .........  just lay there

one eye open

the strike            must have been an instant  

dog senses deafened by its silence

stunning ..... and brilliant         so 

                                             

                                        

not to be looked at

                                         

                                            

I wasn't sure what to say ...

(i SHOULD have had a say) 

                                                   

                                           

what does one do?

i should have the map

limbs turning corners and avenues 

folding and

over ending on each other

                                                 

                                                    

what am i going to do when i run out of things to do?

how can I sit ... or even pose in such positions

                                           

                                                   

I had no say in the matter

nothing i could do

                                                          

                                                   

the floor is the one thing holding up now

where she laid ... in release ... not repose

                                         

                                                         

there are no complaints from grain and roughness

no creaking, no moaning

it's just  ...the bare floor ... pine boards all knotted

                                                    

                                                  

she whispered her breath ... her death breath

so fast there was no

crossing over it

                                                  

                                              

there was only instant Christ machinations     and    

                                                                           me   

                                                                                and                                                                                          

                                                                                       dog  

                                                                                             and

                                                                                

                                 pine floors breaking.

11/22/2020

E

Author's Note

Reviews

[Lydia Shutter]

((((((Gene)))))) the raw emotions in this poem made my tears well up. The song is absolutely perfect for your words. To see the floor, to walk on it every day, to know she was there and there was nothing you could do to save her....the pain is like a knife. No, my friend, no razor can scrape away the beard of grief. It never really is washed down the sink. It does, however, scratch a bit less with each passing day. This has to be one of your best, E.....I am applauding here. Lydi**

[Einstein Noodle]

Thank you Lydi ... that's all I can say is Thank you

[Sami Khalil]

We stand at the hardwood floors of death. Fate is knocking at the door. Time marches on. Say a goodbye to a loved one. We are next in line. In wonderment, we search for clues. Puzzle of life and death is stacking up the odds. Hope is the passage to another realm. Man likes adding and not taking away. Wow! A POWERFUL AND SAD POEM, SIR Einstein.
My condolences. You have a friend in Ala.

[Einstein Noodle]

many thanks Sami ... we have all a unique connection in poetry .. if there can truly be "friends" on social networks it is here ... where people pout themselves out in words, lines and creativity ... i think the Cafe' is the best for that .. tho glitches and trolls and most assuredly plagiarism occurs ...it is still one of the best .. we get to know one another in more intimate ways because we can expose ourselves in metaphor, personification and all the many forms we use ... we are friends Sami .. and i appreciate you .. and your work .. and your input when you read something from me ... luv on ya brother :)
E.

[Sami Khalil]

All true and well said sir. Glad to have met you. Enjoy your Holidays.

[Einstein Noodle]

Put ... not "pouts" ;)

[Sami Khalil]

Stay safe and put sir. If you pout, try not to shout. Love is eternal, maybe blind, but life goes on in its grind.

[Einstein Noodle]

:))))))))))))))))))))))))

[Sami Khalil]

:::::::::]]]]]]]]]]]]]

[John the Baptist]

Death by lightning strike? What are the odds on that? The loss of a treasured companion to such a seeming random occurrence throws that ancient question "Why?" right in our faces. Sometimes there is no ready answer. The last part of the poem captures the sense of bereavement well. So sorry for your loss.

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you for reading John ... and your review .. yes .. the "why" ... i am almost 72 my friend .. and my only answer ever found is also a question .. why "why" ... we live with mysteries all around us eh!? love your review .. thank you .. and for your kind sentiments ..

[Cherrie]

There is no great pain than that loss that takes part of us with it. That old sun shines so bright no matter how dark it is within. I'm so my friend. what a worthless word sorry is. It's like putting a bandaid on a scar. I'm always here.

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you Cherrie ... i appreciate you .. some days are better .. its a process ... when the sun shines it helps a lot :)
E.

[Cherrie]

I have to add Dorothy is amazing, I could listen to her smooth voice everyday.

[Einstein Noodle]

yes .. absolutely .. thank you for bringing her to me with your poem and reference to the song .. read moreyes .. absolutely .. thank you for bringing her to me with your poem and reference to the song ..
E.

[Gee]

So sorry for your loss E. Am sending keyboard love and best wishes. Thoughts are with you as are tears...

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you Gee

[Kelly Scheppers]

The enormity of every line, every utterance of loss, breaks my heart. Please message me.

[Einstein Noodle]

will do Legs! thank you so much!

[Betty Hermelee]

There are some things we can't control in life, even though we try. This poem is sad because we can't control death either, or its cause. It can strike (and it does) at any moment and even the sun can't do anything about it. It'd dark and unfortunately death comes quickly. Very moving poem; great imagery...showing the reader darkness and death, two thins we should have a say in, but we don't. Well Done, B

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you for reading Betty. your words are packed with wisdom ...

[Betty Hermelee]

You’re quite welcome, my pleasure !

[Corset]

Have mercy, this one made me tear up d****t, no say in it :death, no say and no one can say not the most devout, devoted , determined all you can do is let go and break for a bit, for always, but it becomes bearable after a time. The shoulders square out the head lifts but sometimes in the smell of Pine the Death box is remembered.

[Einstein Noodle]

yes! we have those days and a certain time when shoulders are squared ... one almost feels guilty about that at first ;} thank you Corset .. i appreciate you

[Corset]

Thank you :D I like appreciation :P

[Einstein Noodle]

:) ..........................

[jacob erin-cilberto]

So extremely sad, the imagery is intense...we have no say, a loved one leaves at the given times.
There is a deafening silence, that even hurts the dog's ears.
All of the senses are sad at this...
Here one morning gone the next. and the parallel of the power going out.
Life going out...with a thunderous crack that affects all those around, near the loved one.
j.

[Einstein Noodle]

i am truly humbled this has moved you so, jacob .. and i appreciate the connections you make about the silence, the dog and the thunderous crack .. thanks so much for reading and your sensitive review.
E.

[Neville]

... it takes a lot to make a brother weep, the way your brother weeps right now at the sight and the sound of words placed in his head like this .. my here and now .. from several thousand miles away he offers up a firm virtual hug and shoulder ...

N.

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks brother .. i feel you truly do .. maybe we should pick a get drunk day ;} lov on ya

[Neville]

just name the day..................
:)

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Mr E. I will come back because I have more I would like to say about this heartbreaking poem. At the moment that cruel hard floor with its knotts is the only thing holding up while everything else is falling apart. Such sadness, I feel the knotts in your heart and every part of you in the raw and early days of your loss.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you Chris .. this one had to "come out" as we say ...our poetry allows for expressions that we would not even whisper in public .. through our metaphor, analogy, etc etc. we get things out .. this one ... i needed .. thank you for your tender heart .. and for all your support here at the Cafe' .. Means a lot :)

[Chris Shaw]

I have read several times now and each time the rawness penetrates deeper. The helplessness of seeing that event unfold before your eyes and not knowing what to say or even, do hit this reader hard. The sunshine has gone from your days but it will return when your grief allows. Take very good care of yourself won't you Mr E? Your many friends in this place of poetry are with you in spirit and will be thinking of you.


Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you so much .. we are a tight group in poetry it is true ... i feel your empathy and your thoughts and prayers .. i am doing well .. i know this process .. i am almost 72 years old and one does not go that long without death touching us .. Norma's passing was horrific as i found her already gone ... you are a wonderful and sensitive woman, Chris and i am proud to share our poetry and thoughts and feelings ... right her at the Cafe'

[Chris Shaw]

............ pleased to be one of your poetry pals and have the benefits of your wonderful words.