THE FOLLOWING POEM WAS SELECTED IN WINGWORD POETRY PRIZE 2023 LONGLIST.
Because I could not stop for death,
I weep in the bellows of his cape,
Longing for a moment
To join with my beloved Sissle
Who since passing,
Leaves a hole of emptiness
So great that could fill
The barren plains of the Grand
Canyon ten times over.
Seasons pass,
The aching never really ceases,
It grows uncontrollably into a bottomless pit
That engulfs all fragments of existence,
Leaving just a shell with no real substance.
I beg for a moment of release
But time is a cruel reminder
Of a pack I made
All those years ago
It smiles seeing my displeasure
Taunts me with brittle bones
And greyness in my beard
But its grip never relents
Yet, its grip refuses to relent, unyielding, unyielding.
Still, I stand resolute in my pursuit,
To find solace within the depths of my grief.
For though time may mock me with its passing,
I will not surrender to its callous hold.
I shall traverse this path of longing and loss,
With unwavering determination in my stride.
I seek redemption, healing, and peace,
Amidst the shadows of my sorrowful plight.
For even as the seasons come and go,
And the ache persists, unyielding,
I shall gather strength from the depths of my soul,
And forge a path towards a brighter horizon.
With each passing day, I shall reclaim my essence,
Embracing the memories, both joyous and painful,
For they are the threads that weave the tapestry,
Of a life well-lived, despite the trials faced.
So, I stand here, beneath death's solemn gaze,
With tears in my eyes, and resilience in my heart,
For in the face of life's ceaseless trials,
I choose to defy time's relentless grasp.
And though its grip may never truly relent,
I find solace in the courage to endure,
To honour my beloved Sissle's memory,
And to forge ahead, ever onward.
For within the depths of my spirit,
I hold the power to transcend,
To find meaning amidst the ache,
And create a life renewed, resilient, and free.
So, I shall press on, with unwavering resolve,
With every step, defying the clutches of time,
For even in the darkest moments,
I am a testament to the human spirit's shine.
And as the echoes of my plea fade into the air,
I embrace the unknown, with hope and despair,
For in this journey through life's intricate weave,
I am determined to find the solace I crave.
Thus, I walk this path, undeterred by its length,
With a heart full of longing, and a soul unyielding,
Guided by love, and driven by purpose,
To reclaim the light that death seeks to steal.
For though its grip refuses to relent,
I will persevere, with every ounce of my being,
In the pursuit of peace, love, and serenity,
Till the final breath, my spirit shall keep believing.