Chapter 12

"Heartache Poetry"

Two weeks after Rosemary’s death, Jasper woke up and began to cry, as he had done the past thirteen days. When he was able to control himself, he rested his left hand on the spot where Rosemary used to sleep, and he softly said, “Good morning, my love.”

That morning, Archie came to visit his heartbroken friend before Rosemary’s funeral. Jasper was sitting on his couch, staring at the floor, when Archie walked into the house. He sat down across from Jasper and said, “Hey, Jasper. It’s me.”

Jasper did not look up. Archie paused for a moment, then said, “Jasper, look at me, buddy.”

Jasper hesitated, then looked up at Archie. Their eyes locked for a moment, then Jasper said harshly, “Your wife didn’t die. Your baby didn’t die. You have no right to be upset, and you have no right to talk to me.”

Archie was confused. A moment after staring at Archie some more, Jasper picked up a vase and threw it at Archie, who was now standing up. Jasper shrieked, “Get out of me house! Get out! Get out, you ungrateful, unfeeling son of a b***h!”

Archie ran out of the house and drove away, and Jasper remained sitting. He thought for awhile, then he decided that it would be a good idea to get his feelings out by writing a poem. He got a pen and a notebook and began to write.

“Rosemary”

Hello, my beautiful spice.

I see you are enjoying the weather that’s nice.

I will speak softly to you.

Knowing that you will make my dreams come true.

I am your loving oak tree.

I protect you from everything that be.

I shade you with compassion.

My woody heart is what you have won.

I gave all the pollen you need.

So we could make a beautiful seed.

The seed made us feel at ease.

But the seed blew away with the breeze.

I know your herby roots run thin.

To the source you went back again.

I watched you fade away.

Now a broken, woody heart will stay.

You left without any warning.

I cry for you every morning.

I am now helpless and scared.

My soul has been permanently impaired.

I think of you all the day

I wish that you wouldn’t have strayed.

I pray for you at sundown.

In my lonely house that’s old and run-down.

I love you with my aching heart.

You captured me right from the start.

Our memories I won’t forget.

Like the beautiful day when we met.

The day when I proposed to you.

You said ‘yes’, showing your love was true.

And when we listened to the ghost.

That’s when I realized I loved you the most.

Oh, how so grateful am I.

Regardless of the fact that you died.

I was lucky to have your love.

We were a match made from above.

You gave your life for our child.

I will never forget your beautiful smile.

Thank you for giving me life.

Thank you for being my best friend, my wife.

I love you, my precious spice.

Jasper read over his poem, his hands shaking like leaves. He then put his head in his hands and burst into sobs. He began to whimper, “No, no, no! Rosemary, no!”