Not So Empty

For my late father, I wish I had the courage to read it at his funeral. Sometimes writing is the only way to come to terms with these emotions.

Sitting beside me is a full chair,
It looks empty,
But it's full.
Full of dreams, memories, someone I used to know.
My father sits in that chair.
He's sitting there right now, you just can't see him.

A breeze blows through the open window,
The chair rocks back and forth on its wheels.
One lone cloud passes me by and waves,
I wave back.
So does my dad.

The sky is blue and clear, I am reminded of his eyes before he put his contacts in.
He doesn't use them anymore,
So his eyes are always as an azure sky,
Or an un-muddied lake in sweet summer.

The cloud is gone,
We sit in the sunbeams.
He doesn't need to sit though,
He can get up out of that chair now.
I hate that chair.
I want it to go away and not hurt me anymore.
But then…How will I know where he's sitting?

The cloud comes back.
I wave,
He waves back.

Reviews

[jen -- JG]

Hi Conrad I like the sentiment in this poem - the contentment of togetherness even though you KNOW the chair is empty - it is the symbol of your father's presence.

Your words show part of you is accepting the facts as they are - the other bits are holding on to the visual signs, and giving you peace and comfort.

"The cloud is gone,
We sit in the sunbeams.
He doesn't need to sit though,
He can get up out of that chair now."

and then there is
"I hate that chair.
I want it to go away and not hurt me anymore.
But then�How will I know where he's sitting?"

These lines are strongly emotional, he was there, alive but tied to the chair,
now he has gone and it YOU who is now tied to the chair.

You want to be free of the hurt but want to keep the chair because
in some way, the chair has become your father.

The last three lines here seem to indicate your transference of your dad,
from the chair to the cloud, allowing you a sense of peace at last.

The cloud comes back.
I wave,
He waves back.

A good write on a sad topic. I hope your dad often floats by on his fluffy cloud to say say HI and wave.
Strong sentiment, good imagery, well written

Jen - JG

[Fran Marie]

Congratulations!! on your win in "The Greatest" contest~Fran Marie

[Frances O'Neill]

Very sad! But, very nicely written!

[Aekmy]

Everyone has had a loss and you did a fine job of portraying your emotions. Remember he is always there in spirit and has never really left you.

Nice write. :]

[Monday Parker]

That is a very well written poem. Very heart felt. Thank you for summiting it into the contest.

[Candle in the wind]

This so beautiful I love the way he lives on and waves to you.Its ok That you didn't read it at his funeral you say it silently to him now and then I am sure.

[~crazy Beautiful~]

this is deep and beautiful, the way you look at the chair like you will always see him sitting there, love the imagery, so sad, yet peacful at the same time.
Nice writing
Thank you for entering my contest

[Blackbirdsong]

This is a truly a lovely and loving tribute to your father. You seem to make him almost as one with nature becoming epic in memory like the ocean tides waving back and forth.

[Marie]

How sad. Thanks for sharing.

[The Elder Pine]

A great piece of remembrence and feeling for someone who must have cared for very much. I agree, they never really leave us and we will all meet them again one day. Well done.

"Sitting beside me is a full chair,
It looks empty,
But it's full.
Full of dreams, memories, someone I used to know.
My father sits in that chair.
He's sitting there right now, you just can't see him.

A breeze blows through the open window,
The chair rocks back and forth on its wheels.
One lone cloud passes me by and waves,
I wave back.
So does my dad.

The sky is blue and clear, I am reminded of his eyes before he put his contacts in.
He doesn't use them anymore,
So his eyes are always as an azure sky,
Or an un-muddied lake in sweet summer.

The cloud is gone,
We sit in the sunbeams.
He doesn't need to sit though,
He can get up out of that chair now.
I hate that chair.
I want it to go away and not hurt me anymore.
But then�How will I know where he's sitting?

The cloud comes back.
I wave,
He waves back."