I remember when I watched you sleeping and now
I would like to watch you sleeping I would
like to place my hand on your chest
and feel your heart beating I would
like to fold your sudden ending over my head
like a blanket and walk with you
through the forest of my forgetting I would
like to offer a spell to protect you
and a piece of my heart to keep with you I would
like to lay a circle of small stones
sprinkled with wild raspberry seeds and crossed
with brittle twigs from a fallen tamarack
as a compass to guide you home I would
like you to know how much you meant to me
when we were young
and that I still think about you now
This poem was published in the May 2024 issue of Bywords, Ottawa’s online poetry publication.
Music pairing: This exquisite live performance of “Love Song” by Bruce Cockburn brings me back to those times.
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Oh such beautiful heartbreak
Barbara Brownbarbarabrown.ca
Thank you my friend! Yes, there is much beauty in heartbreak isn’t there? xo
Beautiful, very moving! Thank you Diane!
Iva
Thank you, Iva! xo
Beautiful, sistah! A powerful run-on sentence that makes your memories
so urgent! Thank you for sharing. xoxo
lol, yes, as an editor I usually dislike run-on sentences, but the poet in me loves them! Thanks for your kind words Kate. xo
Peace to You, Diane. A beautiful tribute to a very special person. I feel you’re remembering someone who was close to you; a child you grew up with, a sibling, a lost love, or the loss of love. They’re still with you.
Thank you dear Michael! You are correct, I am remembering someone who I once loved and who passed away very suddenly. xo
Lovely Diane
And an intriguing title
Thanks for sending Peggy wanderingpeggy@me.com
Thank you Peggy! I was thinking that as we get older we have so many memories that walking among them is like a forest sometimes. xo
Another precious poem of yours, dear Diane, that resonated deeply with me. So tender and powerful at the same time.
Thank you Nancy! xoxo