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| (for Elizabeth) |
she left home at thirteen she lived with a man old
enough to be her father she was a mother at four-
teen she washed clothes in a tub she liked Elvis
she smoked she worried about her thin hair she
ate a lot of macaroni and cheese she had trouble
sleeping she set traps for the mice she played
cards she was fond of people and animals she
owned a used typewriter she had few friends she
dreamed of a better life she died young
Poem © 2013 by Dylan Mitchell
This is a poem I wrote about my sister after she died in a horrible car crash in 1987. She was only 29.
ReplyDeleteWe were very close (she was the strong and sane one in my insane family). I still light a candle for her on the day she was born - and the day she died.
Is it appropriate (or obscene) to wish the dead a Happy Birthday? This candle beside me says my sister is happy and safe.
What a sad and tragic story. I can only imagine how extremely difficult it must have been for you to cope with your loss. The years pass quickly but the distance of time never expunges the pain.
ReplyDeleteI think it is definitely appropriate to light a candle in memory of your sister. I have done that for my mother numerous times.
Jon, I think we must try whatever we can to survive in this world. Candles or beer: Whatever helps us make it through the night :-)
DeleteThere's something magical about candles. Janis Joplin once said: There's a fire inside of everyone of us. I'm glad I'm not the only one to believe in this ritual.
ReplyDeleteI'm terribly sorry for your loss, Dylan. Those we love never truly leave us - they forever linger in our hearts and minds. I think it's rather beautiful that you honor your sister in this way. I have also done this for my parents.
ReplyDeleteBe well ...
Hey Whisper:
DeleteIt's good to hear that I am not the only one that remembers loved ones after they have passed away.
Candles are so spiritual *hugs*
Cars kill more people than guns & wars. But people suckered into owning & spending their last dollar and often their life on them.
ReplyDeleteAmen to that! I've never driven or owned a car in my life. Walking is how I get to where I need to go. Still, I understand that most people need a car just to get to work or stock up on food and such. Yes, life is not fair.
ReplyDeleteThat's why I've always chosen to live downtown...
I lost both parents, and I mourned. But when I lost my brother, I mourned - and REMEMBERED.
ReplyDeleteThere is something almost tangible that runs between siblings. My parents were each half of me, but it's as if my sibling was ALL of me. My life would be so much better if my brother was still in it. Light six candles and make them huge.
Drink if you drink. I'm too old to take a bit of her place in your life, but I would if it would help.
I've never mourned the loss of anyone more than my sister. She called me long distance on the phone a mere week before she died (she lived in another state).
DeleteShe was so much looking forward to a better future, and working towards a better life for herself and her children. And she was working VERY hard.
My (now deceased) younger brother phoned me with the terrible news. I screamed. And I've never done that before (or since).
I'm very sorry to hear about your brother. I finally sent you THAT letter, so hell yeah - I welcome you as a sister :-)
P.S. I always light eight candles: eight was her lucky number :-)
*gasp* I just saw Sylvia Plath on your sidebar. She was the first author I read in my youth and fell maddeningly in love with.
ReplyDelete