The Last Goodbye

It was the pinging of the phone that awoke him.

He noticed it was half four in the morning.

Nothing good happened at half four in the morning.

He ignored it and tried to go back to sleep.

The phone was insistent and made its anger known by pinging again.

The message read.

HE DIDNT MAKE IT.

There were many ways you could read into that, he thought.

He didn’t make it to the airport.

He didn’t make it to the shops.

He didn’t make it to the appointment.

He didn’t, he didn’t, he didn’t.

The black tie had made its way to the top of the drawer.

Soon to be joined by its closest friends, white shirt and black suit.

He walked down to the church and was joined by six others.

Solitary greetings made the day blacker than it already was.

A lifetime condensed into twenty minutes.

Barely a hymn to console.

Black tie remarked to white shirt.

It took longer to get ready.

He walked the journey home, stopping by the river. 

Black suit began to panic when the hand entered the pocket.

Never again, never again would he take that message.

The phone pinged for the final time entering the river barely making a splash.

He made his way home.

The whisky filled the glass, and he toasted another farewell.

Black tie entered the drawer and said goodbye to his friends.

Reviews

[Dave Brown]

that is soo right about the phone
nothing good ever happens on the other end
I never carry one just because of that, and avoid worries about shirt tie church etc.

[Paul Bell]

Must admit, I do the same.

[barleygirl]

This is brilliant writing. When you name all the things it might be (other than the obvious meaning: HE DIDN'T MAKE IT) . . . the screeching denial is so palpable, it feels like fingernails on chalkboard. I love the way you can skip from one moment to a much-further-off moment & there's nothing lost becuz the little bits of connective tissue thru-out allow for your refreshingly terse treatment. Throwing the phone, to me, symbolizes reaching that point in life where people are dying off all around you. Just this morning, I read about another friend from high school gone, 4 years younger than me, & it can spook some people who might fear or dread death! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Vertigo Cat1111]

The feeling of death and grief in this is painfully palpable. The feeling of missing someone here is so strong as you never really know when someone will be gone before your eyes.

[Paul Bell]

I think in western countries we just don't do death well.

[Ardra]

Mmmm death is always inevitable...yo never know when your times up
Its better to spend the time with your loved ones..and make the most of it

[Paul Bell]

You never know when that big mountain will fall on you. lol

[Ardra]

I stay away from mountains :)

[Paul Bell]

Stay away from mountaineers too, they'll climb all over you. lol

[Ardra]

Haha... staying away from them too ;)
Happy ?

[alanwgraham]

Not very cheerful Paul but that's life - or in this case death. Your heart misses a beat at that call in the wee small hours and it's rarely good news. Your prose poem describes it all very effectively.
Take care,
Alan

[Paul Bell]

I think if we got through last year we're in with a shout.

[Lydia Shutter]

So very sad. We are at that age. Hearing of our friends passing....and wondering if we are next. Good friends saying goodbye and carrying the casket. Only 20 minutes of speeches to summarize a life well led. We are left with memories. So much emotion in this one, Paul. Lydi**

[Paul Bell]

Yeah, friends are running out and time is racing on.
Hopefully 2021 is a good year.

[Betty Hermelee]

This is so well created, the repeat of “he didn’t make it”yes could be many things, but the guesses were wrong, but then the black tie spoke to you and the white shirt too and then you knew it was goodbye to a friend, so well don Paul, I love your “Flash Fiction” you should publish it! Best Betty

[Paul Bell]

Soon as you go to one funeral, you know there's another one around the corner. I'm not going to mine.

[Betty Hermelee]

Hope not! Me either....

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Sure gets tiring saying goodbye to friends.
I have done it enough times...the tie is worn out, I have lost a few sad buttons on the shirt...
and the black pants are too long in the length now that I have grown shorter, and my time has grown shorter.
Mortality sits in that drawer, right next to the tie.
j.

[Paul Bell]

I'm definitely insisting no one wears black at my funeral. The suit sure has seen better days, but since its in charge of wardrobe it stays.