Ears pressed to the ground

we heard faint cries

and mumbled voices from below

the hardwood floor

 

barely half an hour prior

we were sewing patches

to make quilts 

for our Barbies

and stuffed dogs

 

as Daddy's boss walked in

 

the dogs whimpered

and he wondered why

the door was unlocked

 

and he called out

     Daddy's name

          Robby

               Rob

                  Robert

 

no answer

 

I was taking another scrap

of heart-printed fabric

to piece it together

with the rest of child-sewn patches

 

but he kept calling

calling as he stepped

 

away from the living

 

room and into the den

where Daddy was slumped

in his black desk chair

 

the needle punctured through

my next addition

in quick swift jolts

as I moved the fabric forward

when Mommy received a call

and walked downstairs

with Grandma and Grandpa

holding her hand

 

as his boss told Mommy

how he found Daddy

sleeping dead

after he hadn't shown up

for work and wasn't answering

the phone and how

the animals knew

the heart that started

it all has ended

 

and now I think

strength is not the muscles

that pump the heart

it's the heart that pumps

the strength to the muscles

 

I put my ear on his chest

inside the hard wooden casket

hoping to hear

 

a heartbeat beneath the floorboards

Reviews

[lee von cleef]

I don't think there is a cup big enough to hold the emotions your poring out on this reader, a big warm hug thank you'

[MR.RANDLE]

Great piece it told about that moment and you did it so well ihad to pause for a minute becuz itwas so heartfelt....

[Eagle Cruagh]

This is heartbreaking, not because of the
fact of life and death, it is heartbreaking
because you have the words to fit your
imagination and the gift that allows you to
show pictures as you write.
As you finished, your quilt is nearly finished
and everything about the family life stands
out clearly.
Thank you for this exquisite piece.
----- John