Alive but not living.

Living after the death of a life-long love

In armchair old his body slumped
beside the unlit fire,
in a rested state, serenaded by
that evenings crickets choir.

Old and weary, bathed and clean
fresh clothes against his skin,
a hearty meal he'd tiredly ate
lay heavy deep within.

His age lined face, sun baked and dry,
fatigued, tired eyes half shut,
a ribbon red on jaw line shaved
where carelessly he'd cut.

Strains of "their" song filled the air
a smile played 'cross his lips,
he pictured his wife of fifty years
as she was all breasts and hips.

A tear he wiped from parchment cheek
a tear of loss and love,
two years now since she left his arms
to wait for him above.

Two years alive not living
he wanted off life's ride,
ready now in prayer he'd asked
to be taken to her side.

Author's Note

Might have tenses muddled,confuse myself at times

Reviews

[MilesLee]

Love the emotion in this and the poem is written well. I read it several times. Great job.

[Gee]

Cheers Miles

[Ms Paragon]

You managed to portray this man's melancholy in such a beautiful way.His dignity won't let him stop taking care of himself so he is all cleaned up ,yet the undertone of his sadness shows in his careless,unattended cut.Well done!

[Gee]

Thank you Ms M......done that one, Ms P :)

[Chris Shaw]

That dreadful loss of a close partner whose life you have shared for many years must be totally overwhelming. Some are able to learn to live with their grief and manage to get some some enjoyment from life. Others can't move on and think their life is finished. This is a touching, well written poem Gee.

[Gee]

Hi Christine, thank you.
It is good to see your work being reviewed by so many, sometimes the new ok I struggle for comments. Tis very much deserved.
Hope all is well in Berkshire. Are you friends with Lizzies and Phil :))))

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Gee, I have been very pleasantly surprised to get the reviews I have. It normally takes a lot longer to get recognised. Alls well here but we don't get many invites from the royals (lol). The only associating I have with the Royals, is Reading Football Club.

[Gee]

Pssst, I'd keep that quiet, people have spent years in sanitoriums for admitting much less.....scouse mother, Liverpool fan since as far back as I can remember

[Chris Shaw]

scouse husband Liverpool supporter

[Gee]

He'll be excited tomorrow, as am I already. I'm like a big kid, oops, a big, fat, wrinkled old kid :)

[Chris Shaw]

Yes. He'll be watching on tv

[Maxwell Ryder]

Do we go up? Do we go back to our love? I wonder.

Anyway, great poem.

[Gee]

Cheers Maxwell

[Donna]

This is very beautiful, sad, touching, and true! You wrote if excellent!

[Gee]

Thank you Donna

[Donna]

Your welcome!

[Davidgeo]

Very touching and very well written, excellent form. Made me think of George Bush Sr as his wife of 70 years just died... probably the first time I've thought of that family in a sympathetic vain.

[Gee]

Thank you, am chuffed you enjoyed.

[Relic]

I can't imagine losing someone so close. The thoughts of death are very common when lost is such a way.

A sad poem Gee. It makes you think.

[Gee]

Thank you.........

[Great Aunt Astri]

Ah, so sad. It reminds me of my Dad after Mum died.
It must be difficult to be enthusiastic about life in many circumstances. One just has to carry on, I suppose.
Your tenses seem fine, and perfect format.

[Gee]

Thank you....

[Great Aunt Astri]

:}.....................

[Ardra]

Strains of "their" song filled the air
a smile played 'cross his lips,

its a very emotional poem... thanks for sharing this one with us :)

[Gee]

Thank you for the r&r

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Got a sort of Caribbean feel to this scene. Nicely descriptive and sentimental, catching the mixed feelings of loss and recall. Not so sure about the use of side twice though?

[Gee]

Never ever noticed that, what a knob. Have changed to arms !!
Thanks John