Thursday, February 3, 2011

She Doesn't Have to Succumb

Maria has never experienced the kind of grief
that sneaks up on you like a rebel wave,
snatches you up, slams you onto sand and shell
until you are scraped, cut, bleeding, and raw.
She didn’t know she would have no choice
but to ride the wave until it wastes itself back on
shore. That it would leave her with gaping wounds,

and gasping for air. Maria keeps busy. She knows
she doesn’t have to succumb to the fear she feels
each time her son leaves on his Harley. She reminds
herself how responsible and trustworthy he is.
The sirens sound from far away. She struggles
to breathe normally. The police car pulls into
the driveway and she knows.

17 comments:

MaryT said...

This poem has the ring of truth, Judy. Very real fear. I am scared to death of motorcycles for this reason.

Judy Roney said...

Motorcycles scare me as well, Mary. My husband loves riding and I am fearful every time he goes out.

Victoria said...

Heart punch, gut punch. Maria may not know about grief waves but the poet and this reader sure do. You nail it.

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Wow, this is very powerful. One sees the police car turning into the driveway. Well done!

Willow said...

Powerful and incredibly descriptive..."rebel wave..." and "police car..." Hugely horrific.

Peggy Goetz said...

Wow this one really is a stabber (in the heart). You write so well Judy.

Judy Roney said...

I have wondered what it felt like to be an observer before tragedy strikes and how normal our lives can be. How all that can change in an instant. Thanks readers!

Marian said...

yikes and whew!

flaubert said...

Judy,this sent a chill up my spine.
I lost a good friend years ago, who
was on a motorcycle. A very visual
piece.

Pamela

Tumblewords: said...

How sad. You've written it well.

Kodjo Deynoo said...

very moving, with sadness

RJ Clarken said...

Oh my gosh - to be a parent or a spouse...this is the dread that you hope never visits in real life.

Rashmi said...

That feel of fear which" would leave her with gaping wounds,and gasping for air."..so visually descriptive

rebecca said...

Motorcycles are so dangerous. The rider is completely unprotected. Many of the patients that come in thru ER due to an accident unfortunately never make it. This poem was well written because it made the reader feel the fear of it when a loved one is a rider.

Tess Kincaid said...

Oh, gosh, I had this kind of feeling every time my kids started driving.

Reflections said...

Wow... such a potent effort, powerful loss known, yet not even imaginable.

Hyde Park Poetry Palace said...

it is a breath taking tale.