1980, What I Wanted
by Susan Davis
Not to...
Witness such suffering
Watch as a life fades away
Receive the call
Attend this funeral
Be surrounded by well meaning family and friends
Stand by helplessly as my father sobs in his brother's arms
Notice the pain settle in my brother's eyes
See my grandparents' tortured, twisted expressions
Have friends awkwardly try to comfort me
Be pitied
Carry the guilt of visits unmade and words unsaid
Not to still carry it today
This is vulnerable and tragic. I'm grieved for you. That you went through it and that you "still carry it today."
Thank you. Thanks for you words.
Effective piece. Good form.
I appreciate your comments so much. I'm still very much in the learning stages and everyone's words help.
The last line gave me chills.