Friday, April 4, 2014

In Memory

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.




34 comments:

Mary said...

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???

Gabriella said...

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.

Brian Miller said...

its 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...

RMP said...

you have my eyes misting. this is a very touching and powerful piece.

Jennifer Wagner said...

He 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.

Jennifer Wagner said...

Yes, I think so too...thank you Gabriella~

Jennifer Wagner said...

Thanks RMP...I've gotten quite misty too...

Jennifer Wagner said...

So 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....

I'm glad mine gets to come home, he's exhausted. Thank you very much for coming by Mary.

Ella said...

This is so sad and horrifying. How touching your tribute is-life is so fragile~
It makes me tear up-too.

Magyar said...

searching hands
as 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

Wendy Bourke said...

The children . . . just heart breaking. You have written something here, Jennifer, that will remain with me.

alan1704 said...

Heart breaking news and i hope your husband is Ok. Yours words and the way they are crafted make convey the emotion of this,

Laurie Kolp said...

Oh, Jennifer... you have touched my heart once again. What a very tough thing for your husband to do after such a tragedy.

Gillena Cox said...

your poem is rich, thoughtful and provocative; its one of those you cannot just read once

much love...

Grace said...

How terribly sad Jennifer ~ How quickly these moments come and snuff out life regardless of age or years ~ Very touching write ~

Jennifer Wagner said...

Life is fragile indeed...thanks Ella...how are you? Hope you are doing well~

Jennifer Wagner said...

Thank you very much Magyar...for the poem too!

Jennifer Wagner said...

Oh yes the children...losing them seems the most lamentable of all. Thanks so much for coming by Wendy--I always appreciate your thoughts~

Jennifer Wagner said...

Thank you very much--he is ok and will be home tonight!

Jennifer Wagner said...

Thanks Laurie...I'm glad he's coming home...it's been tough work for sure.

Jennifer Wagner said...

Thank you Gillena~

Jennifer Wagner said...

Yes, definitely sad...thank you Grace.

Anonymous said...

OH so sad, brought tears to my eyes,
Yvonne.

Wolfsrosebud said...

please thank the team for me... lovely write

Jennifer Wagner said...

Thanks for commenting on Yvonne...appreciate your visit!

Jennifer Wagner said...

You bet...thank you.

Mary Ann Potter said...

"Tears and time." Memorable phrasing. What a beautifully composed work!

Intelliblog said...

An apt tribute to those lost and for whom time suddenly stopped...

Jennifer Wagner said...

Thank you very much Mary Ann.

Jennifer Wagner said...

Thank you Nicholas.

Sarav said...

Wow 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

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry. Yes, your husband is a hero-husband, and you are doubtless his muse and perhaps Oracle, speaking this truth. Peace ~

Jennifer Wagner said...

Thanks 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.

Jennifer Wagner said...

Thanks M- your words touched me~