Tags
drug addiction, hero, in memoriam, poem, poet, poetry, prison
It was your voice I remember most as I spend this time here with you there were few words spoken many words understood though never said as we had something mutual some comprehension I remember your eyes when you loved me every time you saw me and a guilt because you wanted to be better I never had a thought about you that was without love or compassion though sometimes my thoughts were painful As a child I didn't have the control to help you I saw the anguish in your world felt your pain through my instincts recognized the pain of our family whenever you would call I begged inside myself "forgive him, he suffers" The little you gave me was more than most because I knew that $5 slipped into my hand was $5 less towards your next fix so it meant more than money to me Your time in prison never made you cold never to me you were one of the warmest men I have ever known and a hero as you took the knife for a friend But in the end it took three men to bust your head with a pipe to bring you down yet this is not what I remember not here at your grave I remember your voice the soft way you spoke to me always good words I remember your eyes the way you looked at me and in silence the way you recognized my understanding
This poem is about my Uncle, and I dedicate it to his memory.
This was so moving.
I’ve never had anyone close to me pass. I can’t imagine the pain.
Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you.
I feel I should have said more to you…he died some years ago, yet it was one of the worse deaths I’ve experienced because it was a vicious murder, and his murderers have never been brought to justice. And I will never forget his voice, I hear it when I think of him. And again, Thank you :)
I’m sorry you were witnessof his physical pain. That has to be difficult.
Yeah, it was actually pretty painful to write this, which surprised me, so thank you :)
Well, I could imagine. The language was strong and raw. I love the simplicity in that, but “simplicity” isn’t a negetive thing at all!
yeah I wanted to keep it simple because I wanted to be clear, thank you.
Sorry, I just noticed how dry my initial reply was to this. My cursor has been jumping around on me and so it makes typing difficult at times, so I just left it as it was. But what I meant to say, now that my cursor is working, is that I’m glad you noticed the simplicity because I specifically chose to keep it concise and real, and for the blatant honesty of the words to have a stronger impact as a result. So, thank you for your comment :)
:) I knew all of that, already.
But thank you for the thoughtful clarification.
I prefer that style of reading; probably because I tend to write that way….not very “wordsy”.
Yeah but that’s the thing, it’s word choice, and you’re very talented with words, so it really works what you do.
Simple can be strong.
Geez, this one’s pretty real.
Yeah, every word is true, so very real.
I want to ask. But I won’t…
Go ahead you can ask anything.
Ok now we’re both curious, are you going to ask?
Well, what happened? Was he in prison for Narcotics? Any other charges? What’s the scoop.
He was a heroin addict and was in and out of prison for armed robberies. Once, he was with a friend and they were attacked by a gang and he jumped in front of his friend and was stabbed. I was just a kid but I remember visiting him in the hospital. So he was really a hero. Glad you asked :)
So, is that who/what inspired your career decision?
Well I’m not sure if you mean counseling or writing, but I guess life just kind of inspired me because there was so much bad shit but also a lot of cool shit, and I was just fascinated with psychology which kind of falls into both writing and counseling. My Uncle inspired me to avoid getting addicted to heroin, honestly.
I didn’t want to broadcast it, but yes, counseling. The big H is a nasty one. I watched an old girlfriend of mine’s mother deal with it. Rehab stints, withdrawal, bad checks, losing houses, cars…
Nothing good ever comes of it, and I’m sorry you had to lose someone to it. A memory is something to be cherished, and I’m glad you carry a positive one.
Well thanks :) I actually lost a couple friends to heroin as well. I grew up in a place where people would come from NY to get the heroin, so it was very easy to get. I never got into it though I had every opportunity. I got into a lot of other stuff, but I always told people I’d never do heroin because of my uncle, but I was reckless, and if it hadn’t been for him, I would never have known better, and probably be dead now myself. So I guess he’s a hero in many ways for me. Thanks again :)
Keep your nose clean, Sage. You know what I mean by that.
lol yeah, that was then, this is now, very different times. Thanks, friend.
It’s a lovely tribute to him.
Thank you so much.
A gentle elegy pressed from harshness.
Thank you, that’s a nice way of describing it :)
Very touching, Sage. May your uncle’s soul rest in perfect peace. So strong is the emotion that runs through every line of this piece. It shows that you two were indeed so close.
Thank you Uzoma, I truly appreciate that, and we mostly saw each other when I was a child, then sometimes when I was in high school but he was in and out of prison and spent a good portion of time in prison, then we didn’t see much of each other as I was in my early 20s. It was mostly all my early childhood years.
Hi Sage
Thank you so much for all your ‘likes’ for my blogs and also for now following me. As I’ve said, I admire the creative writers as I’m an academic writer with little or no imagination….
You’re welcome, and thank you :)
A sheet of paper becomes bone dry canvas when placed beneath your fiingers. Your words thick upon the page, layered with his every hue.The image would not have been clearer had you painted it. (“I remember your eyes when you loved me” “though sometimes my thoughts were painful”) Dark in the light and light in the dark. There would be diminishment if but one shade less.
Well thank you, that’s a profound compliment, so much depth, you always know how to humble me, lol Thank you, as I said above, I really wanted it to be blatant and valid in every sense. I’m glad you seem to have recognized that. Thanks again. Sage
This is wonderfully written, and brought tears to my face. Such an amazing homage to your uncle, and your poetry is incredible. Thank you for sharing this. I have enjoyed it immensely, for the raw honesty and genuine warmth. I have only just found you through a Like you shared on my blog, and I look forward to more browsing and reading here. Be well. Gina
Thank you so much, your site is beautiful, I enjoyed visiting it, and I’m glad you came by here. I appreciate your feedback, thank you. Take care, Sage
And that is why time and time again we are asked by those that are wiser to not judge by what we see with our perceptions and biases and fears….because there is always something that we won’t see.
Beautiful tribute to your uncle and thank you for reminding us that each one has a story :)
Thank you, as far as I’m concerned, anyone who positively touches the life of a child is a hero in some way :)
Very well written
Thank you so much :)
It is lovely tribute to your uncle. So moving.
Thank you so much, I appreciate that.
Wow! I’ve been away for awhile. What a post to come back to! What occurs to me is the great and constant blessing that you were for each other. Love and understanding ran like a current between you. You have a wonderful ability to capture powerfully and simply the essence of this relationship that combined love and terror for both of you. Thank you for facing your pain so that we could meet this hero in your life. With love, Alia
Thank you for saying that, I appreciate your praise of him, he was a good man, and a good uncle :)
Giving you what he never got, best he could.
Yes
Hero
It worked
: )
I think I love him too
Aw thanks so much!
This was so powerfully filled with love. Love remains forever.
Blessings ~ Wendy
Thank you so much, he meant and still means so much to me. Thank you :)
So very much filled with your Love – a beautiful expression, thank you!
tomas
Thank you Tomas, I appreciate that :)
Impressive post.He is a hero.Thank you for liking my post (Authentic Responsibility.Warm regards.jalal
Thank you so much, he definitely is :)