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So Far, an Excerpt

The following poem was an official selection of the 2003 Odes of March Poetry Contest, now known as Utmost Christian Writers. The poem is ©2003 Andrew Kooman and cannot be printed or distributed in any form without permission from the author.

SAY IT TO THE DYING
   - for Sophia; you were so beautiful



I
sorry about
tubes, air, lungs
for what hospital gowns reveal
because I am not going with you

   yellow daffodils
    unfold vibrant bloom
      injected and dyed properly
  get well soon, they look best by the window

II
more morphine
my imaginary sister sits
beside the bed and
talks with you
she too is

   nurse interrupts
     and reads your blood pressure
      eyes bulge noticeably

III
talk about
 Johanna, she was a stinker
 she took the job
 only after the kids were
 in high school –
 a good job

remember
 The time she picked up the
 dragonfly
 convulsing helplessly on its back
 and let if fly away
a line of blue propelling

shame she isn’t here

   visiting hours are over
     and patient is still dying

IV
tired wrinkles line your face
they are deeper now

 I dreamt last night that I
 was lying beside your Grandfather again
unsettling juxtaposition
 In this room but
 he didn’t see me

still bed,
no interruptions,
enjoy that thought

V
we both think it and
converse with our eyes

 Say nothing

it wants to be in the
room when it hears its name
it isn’t time yet

 hold my hand

VI
so many memories recalled
to life projected inside
echoing grins

wishing I knew you
when they took this
photograph when
the smile wasn’t
supposed to be brave

   the daffodils are drooping

     they need more water