WITHOUT (ELEGY POEM)

gasp for oxygen, walk in

harrow, narrow dread

st. pats day, gray no shot of gin

tears melt, mom screams.

cat cries, mourns, dad dies.

pictureless walls, dark halls

chokes, coughs, unspoken pain

mother made challenging calls.

daddy’s devastated angel girl

faints unbearable news

tissues chase sore snotty nose.

antiseptic sniff of air

river cheekbones, brothers bemuse.

priest provides prayer inspiration.

body lifeless, white hospital sheets

slept soul sails, heavens gates.

the marine’s last battle congestive heart failure

bittersweet kiss, soft savior face