November Twenty First

A poem expressing some long pent up feelings from an event fourteen years ago.

November 21st

Of all days that could collide,

My birthday - the day you died,

 

Paternal mortality,

Caused my birthday bliss to flee,

 

All my thoughts had been of me,

Death brought grim reality,

 

There you sat, so cold and pale,

Died while thumbing through the mail,

 

Something more I must confess,

Fear that I had caused you stress,

 

Until at last it took your breath,

Leaving fear I caused your death,

 

Though perhaps I’m not to blame,

Still the pain remains to maim,

 

Birthdays now are not the same,

I’m haunted by our shared name,

 

On November twenty-first,

Thought once loved, now hated worst,

 

Not forgetting that birthday,

When my father passed away

Author's Note

My father died suddenly on the afternoon of November 21st, 2000, from what we believe was a heart attack. He was 80 years old. Since his death, I've wanted to write a poem expressing the pain and conflicting emotions I experienced that terrible day. This is my attempt to rid myself of them.

Reviews

[Moonie]

This is a perfect dedication. It expresses the emotions very clearly. Well done! I am sure he would be very proud of you! :)

[Eddie Davis]

Thank you for your kind words.

[NeiL ArandA]

This is a wonderful dedication . And I may relate to the growing feelings of restlessness until you were able to put it in writing . It's really quite achallenge to write something of someone really close to you . There has to be some connections to be able to relate and conveys those feelings and emotions and translated into words .You did a marvelous one here Eddie . And doing it for someone you personally know has some great challenge .

[Eddie Davis]

Thank you Neil, you are most kind.

[Laura Lynn]

It's terrible, death. I wish we did not die.

[Eddie Davis]

I agree, death always changes the way that those we leave behind live their lives, for good or bad. Thank you for reading my work.

[Vikrantsingh]

Sorry to know that mate. expressions in this poem is so painful, but the sad part of this poetry is - its the same day you were born.

God Bless and really a great tribute to your Dad.

Thank you again :)

- Vikrantsingh.

[Eddie Davis]

Thank you for your kind words

[Blue]

I'm sorry to hear about that, Eddie. Losing a parent must be a great loss... Your grief was eloquently expressed in this sad poem. I also noticed that you have improved on the economy of words and word choice. I love this and this is certainly going to my shelf. :)

[Eddie Davis]

Thank you, Blue. I really had not written a poem in months, but this one just came out of the thin air.

[Dhaye]

So sad. How can you celebrate your birthday when it is the day a special person in your life died?

At least through writing we can express our emotions...

[Eddie Davis]

Thanks, Dhaye, this poem is a form of therapy for me.