Iphigene here.
In the next two months, we at Gathering Books will be exploring the ideas of mortality and immortality. I have been fascinated with death for most of my life. I never found much difficulty accepting the finite-quality of life. And as much as I mourn the death of a loved one, I also find that knowing its inevitability allows me to accept death more easily.
Today, for Poetry Friday, I am sharing an original poem. I wrote this a few years back. It was prompted by Neruda’s Poem “Tonight I write the saddest lines,” from there my poem took a different turn. Thanks Laura of Author Amok for hosting today’s Poetry Friday.
The Saddest Pace
by Iphigene©
Have you ever witnessed a person’s death? Said goodbye to a loved one?
Gathering Books 
Your poem captures the heavy weight of grief, Iphigene.
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Hi Laura,
The poem , when I wrote it, was at a point wherein I had to say goodbye to someone close and be there as she lets go of us, the living and surrender to death. Grief comes in different shapes and sizes, and this captures one kind, one feeling. Thanks Laura for visiting and reading this poem. 🙂
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So beautifully expressed!
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Thank you Karen.
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The vivid imagery in your poem work well to express such a deep sorrow.
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HI Linda,
Thank you for commenting on the imagery. I was hoping that would communicate the feeling.
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Wow. What images. As I write this, I am waiting to hear that a friend, a young mother in her thirties, has died of breast cancer. This describes the feeling of having to say goodbye. The repetition- and the way you end. Stunning.
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Hi Carol,
I am sorry to hear that you are in such a situation. I had in my life experienced loss a few times and each time, the grief was different.
I am glad you enjoyed the poem and the imagery. 🙂
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Oh, my…that ending!
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I take it the repetition was a good thing. Im glad. Thanks for dropping by
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Thank you for sharing this sad and beautiful poem, Iphigene.
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Hi Tricia,
Thank YOU for reading it.
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