I ... entered the poem of life, whose purpose is ... simply to witness the beauties of the world, to discover the many forms that love can take. (Barabara Blackman in 'Glass After Glass')

These poems are works in progress and may be updated without notice. Nevertheless copyright applies to all writings here and all photos (which are either my own or used with permission). Thank you for your comments. I read and appreciate them all, and reply here to specific points that seem to need it — or as I have the leisure. Otherwise I reciprocate by reading and commenting on your blog posts as much as possible.

20 March 2017

The Habit of Love

Sometimes I think you're still here,
in the bedroom, maybe, 
and will soon wander into this room,
come and stand behind my chair
with an arm across my shoulder,
to see what I've been writing;
or you'll switch on the news on TV, 
or start preparing our dinner. 

It's been four and a half years,
but sometimes I still think you're here, 
just down the passage, 
about to come into this room.
I look up, expecting to see you 
bend your head and smile.
I almost hear you say my name.
I almost feel you kiss me.
Linked to The Tuesday Platform for March 21 2017 
at 'imaginary garden with real toads'.

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20 comments:

  1. Anonymous21 March 2017 at 00:20

    This is so deeply touching, Rosemary. It's a good reminder for me to treasure the everyday things with my loved ones while I have them. I've been increasingly aware of how close to adulthood my oldest child is. The eventual loss is going to gut me, I know.

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    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade21 March 2017 at 00:43

      What a wonderful comment, thank you, Lily. It's nice to know my poetry has done some actual good in the world! (I'm sure your son will come home often, after he moves out, but it never hurts to treasure what we have while we have it.)

      Delete
  2. Sherry Blue Sky21 March 2017 at 01:56

    Oh I feel this one, Rosemary. As I read, I could picture Andrew, doing all those things, smiling with his amazing blue eyes.....sigh. It is hard to believe it has been four and a half years. You have made a heroic journey, my friend.

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  3. Maude Lynn21 March 2017 at 04:09

    This is so true and real. Beautiful work.

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  4. Anonymous21 March 2017 at 10:19

    I can so relate, Arlene passed on in 2002, but she hasn't died. Though things are different, I am not sad. We made magic.

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  5. Gillena Cox21 March 2017 at 23:52

    So beautiful!!!

    much love...

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  6. Magaly Guerrero22 March 2017 at 01:00

    There is so much longing in that last almost kiss. Bittersweet.

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  7. Sanaa Rizvi22 March 2017 at 02:51

    This is beautifully tender!

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  8. Timoteo22 March 2017 at 03:59

    We never die until the last person who remembers us is gone. (Or until our poems are no longer read.)

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  9. Marian22 March 2017 at 04:02

    Oh, this brings tears. Beautiful and thoughtful and so easy to relate, regardless of experience. Thank you, Rosemary.

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  10. Anonymous22 March 2017 at 05:20

    This is beautifully emotive. That 'almost' has such a bittersweet twinge to it.
    -HA

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  11. The Bizza22 March 2017 at 05:40

    So beautiful and vulnerable with a twinge of bittersweet melancholy. Thank you for sharing this.

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  12. brudberg22 March 2017 at 08:02

    The sorrow will never really leave you... a loved one will always be there. What a wonderful and sad poem that makes me treasure what I have the more.

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  13. Bekkie Sanchez22 March 2017 at 12:12

    This touched my heart, Rosemary. It's not been that long and it makes me kind of sad because at my age I'll probably never know that feeling. I am so glad you had such a good man, a man who is still haunting you in the best possible way. He is watching you I know it.

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    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade22 March 2017 at 15:35

      I know it too (smile). And when we met, it was just when I thought I was far too old, fat and ugly ever to attract another man! So you never know.

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  14. Kim M. Russell22 March 2017 at 18:43

    That is so poignant, Rosemary, and it brought a tear to my eye. The habit of love is a good habit nobody wants to break.

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  15. Thotpurge23 March 2017 at 00:58

    That's poignant and beautiful and so real... thanks for sharing.

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  16. Margaret23 March 2017 at 12:14

    Yes... this is very moving. Reminds me to cherish my own wonderful man. Thank you.

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  17. Jim24 March 2017 at 06:52

    Oh so nice, Rosemary. We are built to have these feelings, they and those memories are a part of us. After 47 years of our divorce and a remarriage that has lasted, I sometimes still get the feelings you wrote of here.
    ..

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