Wednesday, February 12, 2020

INTERIM

Yesterday, I'd written a few words about my state of mind and heart since my husband, Tom, died last year. This morning, I looked at my words from yesterday and thought there might be a poem in there. Here's what I came up with, such as it is.

Interim

My life,
An interim that is not
My life,
A holding place, not
My life.

What's next in
My life
That is not
My life?

Tom fades away in
My life.
It's not right in
My life.

(June Butler - 2-12-2020)

15 comments:

  1. I am touched by your poem, and my thoughts are with you. I know that my heart will hurt as yours does when and if my beloved leaves this world before I do. May you have comfort.
    Kathy (kaffyr on LJ)

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  2. I have found that when I lost the people closest to me that years later they became clearer to me, understanding them better. I don't know if that's any help but I'd like to do something. I hope you find comfort.

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    1. Thank you. Your words do help. It's not even a year since Tom died, and I hate that he's fading away.

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  3. To paraphrase C. S. Lewis, the passage of time softens and blurs the memory, like snow falling on a landscape. A blessing, perhaps. I can recommend his book A Grief Observed, written after the death of his beloved wife Joy.

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    1. Thanks, Russ. I realize that, as you and another friend suggested, the fading is a kind of blessing to ease the sharpness of the pain of grief. Still, I don't like that it's happening.

      I read C S Lewis' book years ago. In fact, I may have a copy somewhere around the house. Thanks for the suggestion. I'll look for it among my too many books.

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    2. Russ,I found my copy of A Grief Observed and started to reread. So far I've read only the introduction by Madeleine L'Engle which especially resonated. Her marriage, like mine, was a long one. Thanks for the reminder.

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  4. I'm so sorry, June! You captured the feeling of loss in your poem so well.

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    1. Thank you, Rick, my blog friend from the past. It's good to hear from you.

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  5. Hi June, do you remember me? I used to blog on Father Jake's blog years ago. What a growing experience that was for me. So sorry for the lose of your husband and your grief. Holding you in prayer. Becky

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    1. Thanks for your kind words, Grace. I remember you from Fr Jake's blog. I still miss him and the people who gathered at Jake's place.

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  6. My blogging handle then was the name Grace. I always appreciated your blog as well.

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  7. On this isolated Easter Sunday, and with the sad news from St. John the Baptist Parish to your north, I thought I'd stop by and wish you blessings. I only met Tom briefly, but he is a difficult man to fade.
    Stay safe.
    Paul A

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    1. Thank you, Paul A. I wish you and your family the best.

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