from then to now

A Poem by dan

an elderly couple is shattered when one of them dies...how will the survivor cope?

the loneliness I felt long ago,

before we met,

can’t come close to comparing to

the loneliness I am feeling

now that I’ve lost you.

the time passes so quickly,

the clock spins

crookedly, adapting to the empty

place in my life where you once

stood…complacent.

my advancing years’ crescendo

fills me not with

beautiful symphonic cacophony but

the singular wail of a

rusted saxophone.

growing old alone and hurt

is not the way

to end a life.

Music: "Old and Wise," by The Alan Parsons Project

© 2015 dan

Author's Note

My Review

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Reviews

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I imagine it would be just as you describe it, Dan. My mom died thirteen years before my dad and I know he waited every day to be with her again. Well-done!

Posted 9 Years Ago

9 Years Ago

Thank you, FT. I thought that this write might resonate with other WC writers. take care...dan

Brittany Zedalis

This is beautiful.

Sometimes, I catch myself looking at my husband, and I imagine what it's going to be like years and years from now when one of us is gone. I always hope it will be me first, because I simply can't stand the idea of being here without him. That may sound ridiculous, but that's how it is.

I imagine I would feel sadness just as you describe in this poem.

Posted 9 Years Ago

9 Years Ago

Luna, My wife and I have frequent discussions about how we each wish that we (she or me) will go fir.. read more

ANTO

You really stepped into the significant other's shoes here Dan. The sadness is tangible and there is anger I felt too (choice of the word 'complacent' sounded barbed, I thought) which is fitting because the remaining partner would feel fear,grief and anger (together with a plethora of other emotions) at the loss of their other half after all that time together

I really like the phrase 'advancing years crescendo' - it is very inventive and the whole musical ethos of the penultimate stanza also struck a 'chord' with me - sorry Dan.
But yeah, it made me think of life as a stave and all of us as notes (single people as quavers, couples as semi-quavers, etc) in a Universal melody.

Posted 9 Years Ago

9 Years Ago

Complacent was used because it fit into Kubler-Ross's five stages of grief in the sociological model.. read more

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sereenaoutloud

Wow this was such a beautiful, sad write. To share a life with someone and loose them , the lonely emptiness... Captured so well through this write !

Posted 9 Years Ago

9 Years Ago

Thank you sereena. There were a lot of personal feelings that prompted this write. take care...dan

AaronFreitas

This is an awesome write Dan... loved the words in this piece. Sometimes it's hard for someone to continue when their soul mate, companion for so many years passes. I've seen many instances where when one partner passes the other follows not long after be it from loneliness or depression. You captured the feelings perfectly... great write one of my favorites.

Posted 9 Years Ago

9 Years Ago

Thank you Aaron. I had a feeling this would resonate with other WC writers. take care...dan

Confuser

Dan: How beautiful, the music is lovely too. I am so blown away with this emotional writing. It brings forth so many emotions in my mind, thinking one day I too will be alone, but I hope not....the sadness of losing our partner in life is heartwrenching....As far as my eyes can see...love the symphony, and the visual is fantastic. Your title is great too. Tearful Dan...very emotional for me. Thank you.
Dale

Posted 9 Years Ago

jacob erin-cilberto

I can relate to this so well...my dad is 95...lost my mom in sept. after 70 years...his incentive definitely diminished.

thank you for this poem...you wrote him.