The Suitcase
The days are small
packed tightly together
not much room
for last minute changes
I don’t like cruises
I’ve never been on one
I don’t like to gamble
or get my hopes up
about an afterlife or God
I fear the waiting room
where people cough and no one talks
and there is no proof of heaven
I don’t check my bags
because the subatomic particles
that look like me
are afraid of losing
and disappearing
Poetry is my passport
in the mother tongue of a universe
that’s only 4% visible
and 96% dark riddle
I can write poetry
but can’t take it with me
because science has proven
my suitcase is an illusion
filled with mostly empty space
______Colleen Redman / Poets United / Imaginary Gardens with Real Toads
Post note: The above poem is one in my collection called Packing a Suitcase for the Afterlife that is currently being published by Finishing Line Press. It can be pre-ordered HERE. Read some reviews and background HERE.
May 7th, 2017 9:18 am
I love that line about subatomic particles that look like me..science in heaven’s waiting room is fascinating.
May 7th, 2017 12:29 pm
This is a wonderful use of metaphor… love how you explore the rooms in the travel you bring us on…
May 7th, 2017 1:38 pm
Wow, this poem has such Depth! Love the 96 % dark riddle. And LOVE the closing Stanza!
May 7th, 2017 1:41 pm
I love this! Especially your last stanza ❤️
May 7th, 2017 4:00 pm
A very evocative write.
May 7th, 2017 4:09 pm
Your first three stanzas, were in my opinion, perfect stand alones in mysterious metaphor.
I loved your conclusion where we have no choice but to go back to:
“my suitcase is an illusion
filled with mostly empty space”
That really drove me to re-read the excellent three verses.
Just sayin’ : )
ZQ
May 7th, 2017 4:52 pm
I love the last stanza.
May 8th, 2017 3:03 am
Intriguing book title! (Keep us posted.)
Maybe you can’t take specific poems with you, but I would think poetry – the poetry in your soul – is one of the few things you can take.
May 9th, 2017 1:18 am
my suitcase is an illusion
filled with mostly empty space
Come to think of it! One cannot possibly get everything one had wished for
Hank
May 9th, 2017 12:22 pm
Interesting and so thoughtful… yeah nobody talks but people cough. 4% poetry, goodness that slice should be thicker, I think.
May 9th, 2017 4:18 pm
If gravitational theory claims we are missing, and can’t easily if ever find, 96% of reality, assuming the theory is true, why don’t we just assume the theory isn’t true? I always like to get my bearings on reality by realizing that this table I’m writing on is mostly empty space.
May 10th, 2017 5:08 pm
Oh, I love this, especially your last two stanzas!
May 10th, 2017 6:35 pm
not just your suitcase 😉
May 10th, 2017 8:03 pm
[…] paul scribbles on The Suitcase […]
August 29th, 2017 9:07 am
I got my copy yesterday & devoured it instantly. I’ll be eating it again today, this time with an attempt to savor it more slowly. Then, I plan on having it for a late-night snack before I go to bed.
What I’ve had so far, though, is framiculously delicioso!!!
Well done, CR!!!