In the Same Room

I pretended that you were in the same room

standing around the table

counting the stuffings we had this year

sage and onion - your favourite

and sprouts!

You never were a fan of green

'rabbit food

who would want to eat rabbit food?!'

you'd say

tucking in to your turkey

with bread to mop up gravy.

For the split second my mind contrived

these hidden, forgotten memories

parts of me were filled back in

resurrected from the grave

bringing me back to life

as if I had once again become whole.

Now I understand what it means when they say

that when you left

a piece of me went away

but little did I know this whole time 

all that I needed to feel alive 

was talk to you 

as I used to do

as if you were in the same room.  

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

It's the silence you feel that can drive you mad. You have memories, but silence is the killer when it comes to loss. Sometimes I hear about those who lay an extra place at the table for dinner, and I so understand that. Your words will be very relatable for many LauraKate. Huge sadness here. Anniversaries and holidays always hit hardest.

Chris

[Laura Kate]

Thank you for for your review Chris, and for showing such understanding.
Best wishes, Laura

[barleygirl]

Your poem is a nod to the fact that most people are hit hardest by loss during the holidays & you show how this goes, remembering past get-togethers & seeing the missing person as part of every scene. I kinda don't believe that this narrator just happened to realize that all he/she needs to feel alive is this & that, as stated. I don't believe that people need to figure this out. As an older person I see alot of death these days & the one left behind is all too willing to keep that deceased person close, in the same room, it's not something that occurs to a person later on. This desire happens naturally, it's constant & it can last for years. Just my take on death & grief (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Laura Kate]

Hi Margie, thank you for sharing your thoughts. It's interesting to see your perspective, although mine is completely different, having seen at the time of this writing just one death, and a very significant one, at a young age. Reaching that point was a very long process.
Kind regards,
Laura.

[Serendipity Planet]

Now I understand what it means when they say
that when you left
a piece of me went away

Beautiful , yes , it can be hard sometimes
Your longing for happy days are beautifully expressed here

[Laura Kate]

Thank you so much John