GONE (ELEGY POEM)

gasped for oxygen, walked in

harrowed, narrowed dreaded

st. pats day, gray no shot of gin

melted tears, mom mourned

screamed like cat cries dad died

picture-less walls down dark halls

choked, coughed, unspoken pain

mother made challenging calls

devasted daddy’s angel girl, ayne

fainted due to unbearable news

tissues chased snotty, sore nose

disinfectant, antiseptic sniff of air

river cheekbones, brothers bemuse

priest provided inspirational prayer

lifeless body on white hospital sheets

soul slept sailed to heavens gates

marine battled congested heart failure

bittersweet kiss to soft face with savior

Written March 15, 2016