Evoking the Cologne

Dad's dressing gown
remained exactly where
he last placed it,
on a shiny brass hook
on his bedroom door,
where it stayed
in its navy blue state,
hanging lifeless long after
his fate had been sealed.

Long after his unexpected
demise and my eyes
had lost focus on life,
I would wear it.
Wrap myself in its embrace
close my lids then breathe in
the essence of him.

That familiar cologne
bringing him back
for a few precious moments
before the sense of loss
would kick in with vigour
and tear me apart
like a ripped seam.

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

this tore me apart...and made my eyes water...reminding me of my dad and how much i miss him...
and speaking of the cologne...i remember how particular he was about hygiene, the shave, the old spice, the showers...and then how in his last couple years he hated showers...didn't even realize he no longer cared about that....
so well written here.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jacob. It's 28 years since my Dad died, but this poem is fresh off the press and his loss still haunts me. Sorry it made your eyes water.:(

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

He must have been really young...???

[Chris Shaw]

Young enough at 60. I don't think he would have made an accepting old man.

[barleygirl]

I love this share, Jacob . . . great response to a touching poem! (((HUGS))) to both of you!

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Margie.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and I thank you, too, Margie...
Chris' poem evoked so many feelings and memories for me...read moreand I thank you, too, Margie...
Chris' poem evoked so many feelings and memories for me...
j.

[Einstein Noodle]

i like your response also jacob...Old Spice all the way ... and always clean shaven ... except maybe on a Saturday ... when we were at risk for a whiskering ...

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

This was very moving ThAnkyou 👌poetry like this has a magic way to take one back to somebody we lose ...I lost dad when my oldest was five he’s nearly 32 now and my grandfather when I was 21 so yes and mum nearly six years ago thanks Christine x

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Julie, thank you so much for checking this one out. We never really get over our losses, we just learn to live with them. Those close family losses are the killers.

Chris

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

Yes I agree

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

i still have all my mothers nick nacks etc in different cupboards etc and also some of her favourite clothes dressing gowns and shirts, i cant bear to donate them yet.
maybe i wont, why should we??

[Chris Shaw]

It's nice to keep them I think :) Thank you Julie.

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

Oh I just re read this a few years later
A beautiful write Chris !

[John Alexander McFadyen]

A really beauatiful flowing piece of poetry filled with sadness and loss. This is free verse at its best. Tight, descriptive and emotive, evocative writing.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks John. I am more a classical poet, but I do like to dabble with free verse every now and then.

Chris