The Migration

THE MIGRATION

 

The telephone call

Came as something of a shock

Ever since the great migration

He had longed to see her face again

Dressing slowly

Taking extra care with the tie

And making himself smell nice

He decided not to shave

She always liked him with a beard

 

The courtesy car arrived on time

A young man smiled as he opened the door

`We won’t be long’ he said

The building resembled a small hotel

The corridor reminded him of school

Hippie architect no doubt

He remembered his wedding day

Every detail

Butterflies and daisies and cheap champagne

 

Would he care to stroke her hair?

Would they catch him if he fell?

Disinfectant always made him sick

Does the radiator pump iced water?

She looked so beautiful but pale

Like Joan of Arc he thought

 

After signing the necessary papers

None of which he cared to understand

He found himself staring

Through the window of a butchers

Remembering his wedding day

Every detail

Butterflies and daises and cheap champagne

 

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

You took me to a morgue with these lines. That's where I felt I was. Identifying a corpse of a beautiful woman,once known to the him in these lines. The repetition does work well. It works exceptionally well. Remembering his wedding day, and maybe thinking, it should or could have been her. Former lover methinks. Dream maybe, passing thoughts. Intriguing write Neville. Beautifully conveyed.

I've come back puzzled about the reference to a butcher's shop. This young woman has been murdered.

Chris

[Rhayne]

For me, I traveled alongside this man to the funeral home where she lay in wait. She looked beautiful, like sleeping. I could tell she was very dear to him and he was having wonderful memories. Nerves made him notice everything thing around him and made him even think of peculiar things to keep from falling apart. It's hard to let loved ones go, especially when its tragedy that takes them suddenly.

A very sad, yet loving piece.

[Neville]

Thank you so very much Rhayne for taking time out to consider these particular words.. you are of course spot on with your deductions.... All Good Things,

Neville

[Kathy Van Kurin]

'The Migration'
Neville,
From here to there; Your subject is recollecting his love. She has left but he remains. It is a time of remembering what he did the day he said goodbye. Maybe he alone really knows what it all meant. The inner soul remembers the layers and seasons of life. This one is a difficult ending. It is hard to be the one to identify a loved one like this.
Kathy

[Neville]

Hello Kathy and please accept my sincere thanks for checking in and checking out these old words.. you are always most welcome and likewise appreciated.... Neville

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Thanks Neville. This write of yours was worth reading and thank you for the welcome and you are welcome as well!
Kathy

[Neville]

.................... N:)

[Ken Simm.]

So very sad. On this special day. I can hear the single cello and feel thie prick of tears. I hear you.

[Neville]

Thank you for visiting these words Ken.. much appreciated, Neville

[Neville]

bless ya our Chris.. all true except there was no wedding, no beard and no murder.. it was an accident and a lot of alcohol involved.. it was also a very long time ago :)

[Chris Shaw]

She died a violent death and whether the result of an accident involving alcohol or murder, the end result is the same. She died too soon, and that is tragic.

[Neville]

Accidents do happen and yes tragic.. thank you our Chris...

[Lyn Anderson]

This is a very beautiful poem - the use of repetition in this manner works so well with this theme.

[Neville]

Then words no longer fail me. Your words of praise have cheered me up no end. Ta muchly your pall N