photo
© 2014 jennifer wagner
|
what is found
when we are
broken
down
to remnants, to
debris?
mementos,
photos,
things we treasured,
things we valued?
as i read the names
of the lost and missing
my
tongue
tasting
each L
each I
each F
each E
i gulp
tears
and time
91 years
71 years
69, 67, 66, 65, 64, 63,
61, 60 years
59, 58, 55, 53, 52 years
49, 47, 45, 41 years
36, 35, 31 years
23, 21 years
19 years
14 years
13 years
6 years
5 years
4 years
2 years
4 months
how quickly, each,
in a moment’s breath,
like the morning fog,
gone—
to be summed up
not by things
but by those who
cared,
who knew what made
them
more than mist.
© 2014 Jennifer
Wagner
As
of today there are 30 people confirmed dead and 17 still missing in the
landslide in Oso. I tried to get all the
ages of victims down here (some victims were the same age, of course); my
apologies for any I have missed.
The
team my husband is on will hand the baton to the next set of searchers and will
likely be able to come home tomorrow for much needed rest. We haven’t seen him since he left to be a
part of the search but we have been able to talk. He has some heartbreaking and amazing
stories.
Jennifer, your poem has really moved me. So many lives lost, stories that have come to a sudden end, so many people never to be found.....indeed how quickly they have died, in a moment's breath. I cannot imagine dying this way really.. I am sure your husband will have stories...sad ones. But I hope he has had part in some rescues as well. We never know how much TIME we have, do we???
ReplyDeleteSo true, we really don't know when our time is up...makes me want to be all the more mindful of how I spend my moments....
DeleteI'm glad mine gets to come home, he's exhausted. Thank you very much for coming by Mary.
Very moving poem, Jennifer! I like the form you used, the pauses which make us reflect on the people who died. I particularly like the last stanza. It is indeed those who care for us who know who we truly are.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think so too...thank you Gabriella~
Deleteits so sad...i sw where they found one not on the missing list today as well....so much can change in the blink of an eye...so much life lost in one instance....some nice creativity in this one as well...
ReplyDeleteHe was included in the 17 number...they just bumped the number down to 15 missing now...they removed him and another man. True, we don't know what our next minute will bring. Thanks much Brian.
Deleteyou have my eyes misting. this is a very touching and powerful piece.
ReplyDeleteThanks RMP...I've gotten quite misty too...
DeleteThis is so sad and horrifying. How touching your tribute is-life is so fragile~
ReplyDeleteIt makes me tear up-too.
Life is fragile indeed...thanks Ella...how are you? Hope you are doing well~
Deletesearching hands
ReplyDeleteas you reach out to find
we are touched
Heartful Jen; the lives lost and the families facing the agony of those losses... so well felt.
_m
Thank you very much Magyar...for the poem too!
DeleteThe children . . . just heart breaking. You have written something here, Jennifer, that will remain with me.
ReplyDeleteOh yes the children...losing them seems the most lamentable of all. Thanks so much for coming by Wendy--I always appreciate your thoughts~
DeleteHeart breaking news and i hope your husband is Ok. Yours words and the way they are crafted make convey the emotion of this,
ReplyDeleteThank you very much--he is ok and will be home tonight!
DeleteOh, Jennifer... you have touched my heart once again. What a very tough thing for your husband to do after such a tragedy.
ReplyDeleteThanks Laurie...I'm glad he's coming home...it's been tough work for sure.
Deleteyour poem is rich, thoughtful and provocative; its one of those you cannot just read once
ReplyDeletemuch love...
Thank you Gillena~
DeleteHow terribly sad Jennifer ~ How quickly these moments come and snuff out life regardless of age or years ~ Very touching write ~
ReplyDeleteYes, definitely sad...thank you Grace.
DeleteOH so sad, brought tears to my eyes,
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Thanks for commenting on Yvonne...appreciate your visit!
Deleteplease thank the team for me... lovely write
ReplyDeleteYou bet...thank you.
Delete"Tears and time." Memorable phrasing. What a beautifully composed work!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Mary Ann.
DeleteAn apt tribute to those lost and for whom time suddenly stopped...
ReplyDeleteThank you Nicholas.
DeleteWow Jennifer, this is amazing. Love what you did with L I F E, this literally brought tears to my eyes. Someone should read it to the families. Beautiful
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Sara. I may edit it a bit and send it in somewhere, haven't decided yet. Gov. Inslee declared this National Poetry Month in our state be dedicated to those affected by the mudslide.
DeleteI'm so sorry. Yes, your husband is a hero-husband, and you are doubtless his muse and perhaps Oracle, speaking this truth. Peace ~
ReplyDeleteThanks M- your words touched me~
Delete