Breakdown

Breakdown

A Poem by Kelly Scheppers

Breakdown

photography by / Stefan Beutler

 

 

Every morning

cold cereal and orange juice

        for breakfast…

don’t forget  to water the African violet on the sill

in the kitchen window .

 

Feed the cats, walk the dog.

Separate the colors before washing clothes.

Take something from the freezer

           that’ll thaw  in time for dinner.

…such ordinary things to remember.

 

  Dance recital dates are on the calendar.

The girls wear a pink ribbon in their hair.

 The bake sales at church will start in the spring.

Let Father Walsh know he can count on you…

 cake or cookies is fine

…dress the boys in their Sunday best.

 

Be patient, be strong.

Remember that God helps those who help themselves.

Take one day at a time,

one foot in front of the other.

…just like yesterday and the day before.

 

Fall to your knees

when you’re all out of prayer…

…when you’re all out of prayer

    breakdown.

 

                            


© 2023 Kelly Scheppers


Author's Note

Kelly Scheppers
This was written to capture the aftermath of a man dealing with the struggles of everyday life after losing his wife. What you are reading is what he hears in his head, it’s his wife’s voice reminding him of what to do and what’s to come. The lines in italics speak his response.

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Reviews

Kelly,
for the longest time, after Pat died, I would lie in bed and caress oa pillow she had used and whose texture and shape were the same as her thigh... and that's all i am able to say here... now.
Vol

Posted 4 Weeks Ago


Vol

4 Weeks Ago

Sigh,
I wrote the above before I scrolled down and saw I had responded a year ago already..... read more
Kelly Scheppers

4 Weeks Ago

...you are a treasure!
Vol

4 Weeks Ago

Blush... ;-}
You can still lose a wife even when she still has a life; but you no longer do.
I sincerely wish I could conjure up some magical italics to respond to this emotional quicksand that is following me.

Posted 1 Month Ago


Kelly Scheppers

4 Weeks Ago

I am deeply sorry for your pain, Charles. Yes, this was written for the aftermath of death, but eve.. read more
C. M. Miller

2 Weeks Ago

Hearts and hands have the same ability, they both can reach out for empathy and understanding. Touch.. read more
This reminded me of the song "With you" from the musical Ghost.

Posted 4 Months Ago


Kelly Scheppers

4 Months Ago

Thank you, Senu!
Kelly - this is so, so powerful! I'm very fortunate, and I still have my wife. I know that she would
provide me with a "to-do list" if and when the time comes.
Thank you for helping to remind me of the treasure I have.
Take care - Dave

Posted 9 Months Ago


Kelly Scheppers

4 Months Ago

So sorry this was overlooked, Dave. Thank you for a lovely review!
Good read! Thought-provoking!
Daily writing--a keyboard routine--as unique & fresh & well-received as this, is anything but routine!
JD

Posted 10 Months Ago


Finding a penny can be a fortune to someone needy, sad, empty. yes? But losing ' precious' , the heart stops yet - life goes on. And in spite of promising to carry on bravely valuing memories as if life itself.. one feels empty. Feels as if it's a crime to not feel what has been, not to hear what one's ears crave for, a brief chat and a touch, gentle sleep - together. What should have been real, becomes.. a sane insanity of comfort.
Perhaps.

Posted 10 Months Ago


Kelly,
What a lovely account! I am touched because of the note and the poignancy of how powerful the little things can be. It is a common theme you have dressed in beautiful clothes. They are, after all, what make us, the accumulated actions of the day punctuated by bits of tragedy, bits of beauty, and bits of careful thought which, taken together, make something as simple as taking supper from the freezer to thaw, a meaningful act.
Nicely done!
Vol

Posted 1 Year Ago


Kelly Scheppers

4 Months Ago

Thanks so much, Vol. I haven't a clue how I missed this. Please accept my apology for my brain fog.. read more
Vol

4 Months Ago

Kelly,
I kind of feel like, since we have interacted outside the WC, we are friends/ Friends .. read more
Kelly Scheppers

4 Months Ago

Absolutely, good point! Thanks, Vol!
An extremely difficult concept
I don't mean to belittle this at all but even losing the dogs I have loved has been extremely heartbreaking
Losing that special person would be too difficult to comprehend

Posted 1 Year Ago


Kelly Scheppers

1 Year Ago

I overwhelmingly agree, Dave! Losing a pet is just as devastating a loss as any other. And for tho.. read more
Losing someone that close is impossible to consider ... you have taken a look at the other side of loss Kelly ... the one left behind struggling to cope and too maintain a calm façade for the children.

Well done.

Posted 1 Year Ago


Kelly Scheppers

1 Year Ago

I know men process grief differently. I witnessed my step father and two adult brothers when my mom.. read more


say it like it is why don'tcha and like it always was and maybe always shall be .. there certainly is a lot more to this than first meets the eye .. indeed, I think it is very cerebral and your informative authors note beautifully complemented my own impression .. N :)


Posted 1 Year Ago


Kelly Scheppers

1 Year Ago

Your presence here is a compliment in itself. Thank you, Nev!

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Added on April 19, 2023
Last Updated on April 19, 2023

Author

Kelly Scheppers
Kelly Scheppers

San Diego, CA



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