The Distance
I saw our mother’s face
on another woman
everything but the eyes
as if she was recycled
for spare parts
as if she had a sister
we didn’t know
I saw you in a dream
living fine without me
as if your death
was a one-sided loss
as if the small place
where we drifted apart
grew into an unrepairable gulf
And you were with your girlfriends
at the Loring Hall Theater
watching an Elvis Presley movie
while I was in the balcony
watching Jerry Lewis alone
and not laughing
II
The last time we went to the movies
We brought popcorn from Trader Joes
You missed a lot of the dialogue
because of your hearing loss
Sometimes the distance is geography
Sometimes we say the same thing twice
or we feel unheard
for what we chose
not to say
III
We don’t speak loud enough
or we speak too much
and we never know
when we laugh together
if it will be the last time
__________Colleen Redman / Poets United
February 18th, 2018 12:39 am
Hi Colleen-
Cool poem. I like it.
Thanks for your visit.
Have a Happy Weekend!
Peace 🙂
February 18th, 2018 10:31 am
Such beautiful thoughts and images! I only see my mother once a year as she lives 3000 miles away. I often wonder when I talk with her or see her, will this be the last time as she is 85 now. She is all that is left of my relatives….the grandparents, aunts, uncles that were so much of my life all gone along with my father.
February 18th, 2018 11:28 am
I love the reflections in this poem, especially the never knowing when we see someone that it will be the last time.
February 18th, 2018 12:47 pm
I’ve caught my reflection in a mirror a few times and was startled, wondering how my mom appeared in front of me. I’m lucky that she’s still with me, and though we are miles apart mentally on some things, we can still bridge those gaps and talk to each other.
February 18th, 2018 1:57 pm
A nice collection of thoughts, but expecially the last line. So true, and yet we often forget, think we have plenty of time…
February 18th, 2018 2:25 pm
“Sometimes the distance is geography. Sometimes we say the same thing twice or we feel unheard for what we choose not to say”… this is so beautifully eloquent!
February 18th, 2018 4:37 pm
This did touch me a lot… all those phases of loss that we know is approaching… and sneaks upon us in pieces.
February 18th, 2018 5:12 pm
Colleen, this is such poignant writing. So true that we don’t know when something will be the last time. And so true about ‘distance.’ We can be right next to someone and feel the distance; but, on the other hand there are people far away with whom we feel close. Distance is not a factor of geography…so VERY true.
February 18th, 2018 6:21 pm
This last piece to me is so very true…and in many ways speaks volumes…
We don’t speak loud enough
or we speak too much
and we never know
when we laugh together
if it will be the last time
February 18th, 2018 6:25 pm
What an impressive poem this is Colleen. Years later looking back my parents they were not the heroes I thought they were in my childhood. But for all their faults I loved them for their love for me if nothing else.
February 18th, 2018 6:47 pm
Sad, lady, but real. There is always that damned “what if” lurking in the corner. And as we get older it lurks a bit harder, doesn’t it.
My mother always said, “don’t borrow trouble” but I think of it as a kind of facing reality, grim, but true.
February 18th, 2018 6:49 pm
Yes.
February 18th, 2018 7:20 pm
Beautiful, touching, and on the nose.
February 18th, 2018 7:44 pm
Sometimes the distance is geography
Sometimes we say the same thing twice
or we feel unheard
for what we chose
not to say
After a time communicating among loved ones tends to be very formal or not at all. ‘Hearing loss, dementia’ and many other reasons. Very true Colleen!
February 18th, 2018 8:05 pm
I love how you emphasised the impermanence of relationships. a good write.
February 18th, 2018 8:29 pm
Interesting thoughts put together very nicely.
ZQ
February 18th, 2018 10:21 pm
I love what you’ve written here. It is both a tribute to your mother and a statement of pain due to loss. You captured deep feelings here, beautifully.
February 18th, 2018 11:49 pm
I lost my mom and sister 9 months apart in 2016. The dream was seeing my sister from a distance living on and I am speaking to her through this poem.
February 19th, 2018 6:02 am
Poignant outpouring.. very emotional…
February 19th, 2018 11:40 am
The third stanza packs a powerful punch. Death is often on my mind these days: When? How? Where? (I’m glad I don’t know!)
February 19th, 2018 3:15 pm
I know this.
I regret the words left unsaid…
Anna
February 21st, 2018 9:34 am
Very moving, ull of truth, beauty and poignancy.
February 21st, 2018 9:36 am
*full of
February 22nd, 2018 10:44 am
LOVE THIS! Sad & true