Hospice (For Robert Lowell) Poem by r james sterzinger

Hospice (For Robert Lowell)

Rating: 5.0


I
worked in this hospice
once
and when we took
the dead
through
to
the morgue
we had to walk
through
the
cancer wing
where all
were hanging on
to their own thread of
hope.


we
came through
like a battle flag
a clarion call
like the truth
like harsh reality
like a common bond
like fate
much like
an all embracing
warm black envelope
for a letter
that no one
wanted to read.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Shirley Hanley 12 October 2009

Hello James... I like your poem and from it I learned that you worked in Hospice. Bless you and all those that so graciously do their Hospice duties. The death of my mother was made bearable because of their gentle coaching through the process. Like Patricia below I too loved the phrase ''warm black envelope..letter that no one wanted to read'... beautiful imagery. I too wrote a poem titled HOSPICE, that's how I found yours. I invite you to read mine when you find the time... it's short and sweet.

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Patti Masterman 07 February 2009

'Birth, life, and death - each took place on the hidden side of a leaf'- Toni Morrison I do not relish that duty you took upon yourself. I like the words you used, 'warm black envelope..letter that no one wanted to read' it was perfect.

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